Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring a hat-trick as Argentina cruised past Algeria 3-0 in a Group H clash at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday night.
How the Match Unfolded
The 38-year-old Argentine captain opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a curling free-kick from 25 yards that left Algerian goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea rooted to his spot. He doubled the lead just before half-time, converting a penalty after Julian Alvarez was brought down in the box.
Messi completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute, weaving through two defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom corner — a goal that brought the predominantly Argentine crowd to its feet.
Argentina World Cup Campaign
The victory puts Argentina in a commanding position in Group H, following their opening 2-0 win against Iraq. With six points from two matches, Lionel Scaloni side is virtually assured of a Round of 32 berth.
| Player | Goals | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 3 | Hat-trick, Man of the Match |
| Julian Alvarez | 0 | Won penalty, 2 key passes |
| Enzo Fernandez | 0 | 92% pass accuracy |
| Emiliano Martinez | 0 | 4 saves, clean sheet |
What Next at World Cup 2026
Wednesday June 17 features Portugal vs DR Congo, England vs Croatia, Ghana vs Panama, and Uzbekistan vs Colombia. England clash with Croatia is the marquee fixture — a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
India Viewership Surge
The match drew an estimated 180 million viewers in India across TV and streaming, according to early broadcast data. Messi continued brilliance at age 38 has captured Indian football fans imagination, with World Cup 2026 viewership already surpassing 2022 numbers for the group stage.
Sources: CBS Sports, Indian Express, FIFA.com, ESPN, Mint Sports
.jpg)