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Sports / Football

Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 as Messi ties World Cup goals record

Published: 17 Jun 2026 - 06:14 am | Last Updated: 17 Jun 2026 - 06:20 am
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi shoots and scores his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Juan Mabromata / AFP)

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi shoots and scores his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Juan Mabromata / AFP)

Reigning champions Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 on Tuesday as Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose's all-time record for goals at World Cups when he scored a hat-trick.

Messi netted a spectacular opener from distance in Kansas City, then poked home from close range before completing his first ever World Cup hat-trick to give him a total of 16 goals.