Argentina vs. Algeria LIVE: World Cup 2026 updates as Messi gives champions the lead
Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in the 2026 World Cup with a historic hat-trick. This performance marked his 200th appearance for Argentina and set new records for World Cup goals and goal contributions.
Why it matters
Messi's continued dominance in international football at the World Cup level remains a major cultural and sporting milestone.
Lionel Messi began Argentina 's defence of the FIFA World Cup with a stunning hat-trick, as Lionel Scaloni's side defeated Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City.
The article is a standard sports match report focusing on statistics and game events.
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