Messi Equals Klose World Cup Goals With Stunning Hat-Trick Against Algeria
Messi Equals Klose World Cup Goals in Argentina's Big Win
Lionel Messi equals Klose World Cup goals record of 16 as he scored a stunning hat-trick to lead Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
The Argentine captain, who turns 39 later this month, was marking his 200th international cap. He also became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Rodrigo De Paul slipped a perfect through ball between Algeria’s defenders, and Messi drove forward before firing a powerful strike from 25 yards that flew into the top corner past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
His second came in the 60th minute after Zidane fumbled a long-range effort from Alexis Mac Allister. The ball dropped kindly for Messi, who calmly guided it into the net.
Tense exchange between Vishen Halambage and Vaibhav Suryavanshi as Sri Lanka A edge India A in Super Over thriller pic.twitter.com/xEbrCBybWx
— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) June 15, 2026
Messi completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with another clean finish, teed up by substitute Nico Gonzalez. It made him the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick.
The win put Argentina firmly in control of Group J. They will face Austria next on Monday in Arlington, Texas, as they chase back-to-back World Cup titles.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.