Defending champions Argentina launched their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, powered by a record-breaking performance from captain Lionel Messi.
The Group J match was defined by Argentina’s high efficiency. Despite holding a modest 52 percent of possession, Argentina generated an expected goals (xG) value of 1.23 compared to Algeria’s 0.31 and produced all six shots on target recorded in the match. Argentina’s defensive unit was equally effective, preventing Algeria from registering a single shot on target from seven total attempts despite allowing long spells of possession. In contrast, the reigning champions maximized their 10 total efforts, significantly outperforming their expected output through ruthless finishing.
The 38-year-old Messi received a perfect 10.0 SofaScore match rating after scoring all three goals to secure his first-ever career hat-trick at a World Cup tournament, making him the highest-rated player on the pitch by a considerable margin. The appearance itself marked a historic milestone, making Messi the first male footballer in history to feature in six different World Cup editions. The game also marked his 200th international cap for the Argentine national team.
The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute when Messi opened the scoring with a left-footed strike from just outside the penalty box, following a video assistant referee (VAR) check that confirmed the play was onside. Algeria had previously seen a ninth-minute effort from Farès Chaïbi disallowed for offside.
Argentina doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane deflected a shot from Alexis Mac Allister, allowing Messi to convert the rebound from close range. The hat-trick moved Messi level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, tying the all-time men’s tournament scoring record. The precise strike was completed in the 76th minute when Messi hit another left-footed effort from outside the box after receiving a setup pass from Nicolás González. Following the goal, Messi was substituted in the 79th minute for Nico Paz.
The victory also matches Klose’s tournament record of 17 individual match wins.
By The Numbers
- Final Score: Argentina 3 – 0 Algeria
- Possession: Argentina 52% – 48% Algeria
- Expected Goals (xG): Argentina 1.23 – 0.31 Algeria
- Total Shots: Argentina 10 – 7 Algeria
- Shots on Target: Argentina 6 – 0 Algeria
- Fouls Committed: Argentina 11 – 14 Algeria
The result leaves Argentina at the top of Group J with three points, ahead of their second group fixture against Austria scheduled for June 22.
