As Messi continues to shine, Argentina kicks off their campaign in a completely different fashion.

Lionel Messi ensured Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign began in a starkly different manner than four years prior, netting all three goals in their 3-0 win over Algeria on June 17 (Vietnam time).

After breaking through Algeria's central defense to open the scoring early in the 17th minute, Messi doubled the lead in the 60th minute by quickly slotting home a rebound from Alexis Mac Allister's long-range shot.

That goal essentially sealed the match for Argentina, but Messi was far from finished.

Sixteen minutes after his second goal past goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the superstar completed his hat-trick with a sharply angled left-footed strike into the right corner of the net. This was Messi's first World Cup hat-trick.

These three goals were Messi's 14th, 15th, and 16th in World Cup tournaments, allowing him to surpass France's Kylian Mbappe as the active player with the most goals in the competition's history.

Messi also tied German legend Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals—the highest in World Cup history.

It's a record Messi could easily break as early as the group stage if Argentina maintains its form against Algeria in the remaining two matches.

At the 2022 World Cup, Argentina disappointed with a 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opener. That was the tournament's biggest shock and raised serious doubts about whether Messi could ever win a World Cup title.

However, those doubts quickly dissipated over the next six matches, as Argentina easily advanced through the group stage and then defeated France on penalties to claim the nation's first world championship since 1986.

Much of that championship squad returned for the 2026 World Cup, and their cohesion was evident against a lesser opponent like Algeria.

Argentina and Messi consistently exploited the gaps left by Algeria's defense.

Messi had put the ball in the net early in the match, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The football superstar also nearly completed his hat-trick earlier if not for goalkeeper Luca Zidane's spectacular save.

Having played every minute of the 2022 World Cup, Messi was able to get some rest this time.

With Argentina still on their journey to defend the world title, facing at least one knockout-stage match ahead, Messi was substituted early in the 79th minute by coach Scaloni.

The Argentine star left the pitch to continuous applause and cheers from the stands.

The player who replaced Messi was defender Otamendi.