Messi Hat-Trick Fires Argentina to Perfect World Cup Start 🇦🇷 Defending champions Argentina launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener at Kansas City Stadium. The night belonged entirely to Lionel Messi, who celebrated his 200th senior international appearance and his record-breaking sixth World Cup edition by staging a historic masterclass. Exactly 20 years to the day after making his World Cup debut in 2006, the 38-year-old maestro claimed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick. He opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a vintage curled strike, added a cool rebound finish on the hour mark, and sealed his treble with a trademark edge-of-the-box drive in the 76th minute. Algeria briefly threatened early on when Fares Chaibi had a goal chalked off by a marginal VAR offside review, but the Fennec Foxes ultimately could not contain Messi, whose magnificent treble draws him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. • 1 assist (pinpoint pass for Mbappé’s opener in the 66th minute, which broke the deadlock and helped Mbappé surpass Thierry Henry as France’s all-time top scorer). • Another assist for Mbappé’s stoppage-time goal. • Created 4 chances (2 big chances). • 2/3 successful dribbles. • 14 passes into the final third. • Strong defensively with 6/9 ground duels won. • High pass accuracy (~89%) and overall control on the ball. Fans and media called it “magic” from Olise — he made plays others couldn’t, drove the attack, and was key to unlocking Senegal’s defense The France captain and Real Madrid star was the match-winner, scoring twice and breaking records: • 66th minute: Assisted by Michael Olise, Mbappé finished clinically to make it 1-0. This goal equaled Olivier Giroud’s record as France’s all-time top scorer. • 90+6th minute: A stunning 30-yard rocket in stoppage time for 3-1, making it his 58th international goal and officially surpassing Giroud. #fyp #foryou #worldcup #1MillionViewsOnMyFirstVideo - @ybs38baby