Lionel Messi becomes oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0

Lionel Messi produced a vintage display on 17 June 2026, scoring a hat-trick to steer Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their FIFA World Cup Group J opener — and in the process became the oldest player in World Cup history to score three goals in a single match. The goals came in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes, and the result was confirmed in official match records as a 3-0 win for Argentina.

Messi’s record-breaking night

Messi’s first strike arrived with a powerful long-range effort that broke the deadlock, before he converted a rebound in the second half and completed his treble with a composed finish after a pass from Nicolás González. At 38 years and 357 days old, Messi surpassed the previous benchmark for oldest World Cup hat-trick scorer — a mark set by Cristiano Ronaldo at 33 years and 130 days during the 2018 tournament.

Why it matters

This performance is significant for several reasons: it is Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick, it answers questions about his fitness after a late-season scare, and it gives Argentina a commanding start to their title defence. The result also rewritten a long-standing tournament record, widening the age gap at the top of that particular leaderboard.

Messi’s match fitness had been a talking point ahead of the tournament after a hamstring scare in his final appearance for Inter Miami; his three-goal outing is a clear statement that those concerns are no longer a visible limitation on the biggest stage.

Match turning points and how the goals came

The opening period featured frantic exchanges and marginal offside decisions that disallowed early efforts for both sides. Argentina finally capitalised in the 17th minute when Messi launched a long-range strike that beat the goalkeeper. The second goal came after sustained pressure produced a rebound that Messi followed up on, and the hat-trick was sealed in the 76th minute with a clinical finish following a clever pass from González.

Beyond the goals, the match provided Argentina with a psychological boost: a dominant scoreline in an opener rarely does anything but lift a squad and place immediate pressure on group rivals.

Key takeaways

• Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup Group J opener (kickoff recorded at 01:00 UTC).
• Goals came in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes.
• At 38 years and 357 days, Messi is now the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
• The previous record-holder was Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 33 years and 130 days when he scored a treble at the 2018 World Cup.
• Messi said after the match that he feels good and acknowledged the advantage of playing at home, addressing prior match fitness concerns from a hamstring scare.

Context: Argentina’s campaign and the record book

Argentina entered the tournament as reigning champions, which adds weight to the significance of a commanding group-stage start. The hat-trick rewrites a piece of World Cup history previously held by Ronaldo and, in doing so, highlights Messi’s enduring influence at the highest level.

The result gives Argentina three points from their opening match and a superior goal difference heading into the rest of Group J fixtures, while also providing the team and manager with momentum and tactical options for rotation as the tournament progresses.

What happens next

Argentina will build on this opening win as they navigate the remainder of their group matches. For Messi personally, the hat-trick confirms he can still produce match-winning performances on the biggest stage even as he approaches his 39th birthday. For fans and neutral observers alike, it is a reminder that records around longevity and excellence can still be rewritten.

Expect Argentina to manage minutes and recovery carefully as the group stage continues, but the clear takeaway from this game is that Messi remains central to their attacking threat and will be the player opponents plan to contain.