KANSAS CITY — Lionel Messi and Argentina are back to defend their crown and showed it in style, as Messi tied the World Cup’s all-time goals record with a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria in both nations’ 2026 World Cup openers in the Heartland of America on Tuesday.
MORE — Daily World Cup schedule: What games are on today?
It was quite the scene in KC as Messi and La Albiceleste rolled in to town, and they the heavy favorites to beat underdogs Algeria did so with a trio of goals from the Atomic Flea.
Algeria were game foes, winning the possession battle but losing the contest as Argentina out-attempted the Fennec Foxes 10-7.
Below is everything you need for Argentina vs Algeria, with updates as they happened, analysis, and video highlights.
Argentina vs Algeria final score: 3-0
Goalscorers: Lionel Messi (17', 60', 76')
The vast majority of Kansas City Stadium is bowing before Lionel Messi after he stuck an arrow in the bottom corner for his third goal of the night. That’ll be it for Messi, as he comes off before the restart.
¡LEO MESSI, 16 VECES EN COPA DEL MUNDO!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2026
El 10 argentino firma TRIPLETE HISTÓRICO en el debut de Argentina y empata a Miroslav Klosez, como MÁXIMO GOLEADOR en Mundiales. pic.twitter.com/P3Ls7qiMVq
He was not going to be denied again. On his 200th appearance, Lionel Messi has scored his 118th goal for Argentina. It’s what 69,000-plus came for, and he delivered. He always delivers.
🤗 ¡MESSI ROMPE LAS REDES!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2026
🇦🇷 Messi recibe un gran pase de Rodri De Paul y anota su gol 14 en Mundiales y 117 con Argentina.
📺 Sigue toda la cobertura de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 por Telemundo y Peacock#MundialTelemundo #Somos26 #FIFAWorldCup #Argentina… pic.twitter.com/cCUKmV57Ac
¡DOBLETE DE LEO MESSI!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2026
El 10 aprovechó un mal rechace del portero de Argelia para definirla y mandarla a las redes para ampliar la ventaja de Argentina . pic.twitter.com/DLAxtrib5x
Algeria have also scored as well, but it won’t count either. A similar sequence to Messi’s chance a few minutes ago, Fares Chaibi came off the left wing and slipped it past Emi Martinez near post. The Algerian fans went crazy for 60 seconds, until VAR ruled it out.
Argentina are all over Algeria early on and Lionel Messi has already put the ball in the back of the net with a clever near-post finish, but it won’t count. Lautaro Martinez with the hold-up and feed.
The players are warm, the procession has processed, the anthems have been sung. It’s time, finally.
Looks like Bueons Aires in here. pic.twitter.com/0MlAp6oTfO
— Andy (@AndyEdMLS) June 17, 2026
Zidane - Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri - Boudaoui, Bentaleb, Maza - Hadj Moussa, Chaibi, Gouiri
E. Martinez - Montiel, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina - Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul, Almada - Messi, La. Martinez
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 17, 2026
📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado para el debut! ⚽
Así formará #Argentina 🇦🇷 para el duelo ante #Argelia 🇩🇿 💪
Juega la Albiceleste y el corazón lo sabe 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/6hktcQS79O
These are the kind of hard-hitting updates you only get from someone live on the ground (or, in the sky, as it were), but it means that Lionel Messi is here and this thing is really about to happen. What a moment for my hometown, with some-500 million expected to tune in around the world.
Messi received the largest ovation from the crowd — now a few thousand — when he stepped off he bus, if you were wondering.
I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I am here. pic.twitter.com/ZnaU5CWJhj
— Andy (@AndyEdMLS) June 16, 2026
The world champs are on their way to the stadium after boarding the team bus outside their hotel just outside of downtown KC. They will now take a nine-mile drive east to Kansas City Stadium. A few hundred fans are already inside the stadium and they quickly came to life when Messi and teammates were shown on the video board.
Look, everyone including Algeria themselves know they are expected to lose to Argentina.
But this World Cup has shown us already that upsets can happen. Cape Verde drew against Spain.
Riyad Mahrez will look to lead the Algerian counters whenever they get the chance and if they can keep it level until half time, who knows?
Argentina and Algeria meet in Kansas City on Tuesday as the world will watch on to see if Lionel Messi gets his World Cup off to a flying start.
All eyes will be on Arrowhead to see Messi in the famous blue and white stripes.
How to watch Argentina vs Algeria live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9pm ET Tuesday (June 16)
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
Lionel Messi is used to the pressure of having to deliver time and time again in the biggest moments. And he usually does it.
Argentina now have to do something only two teams in the history of the men’s World Cup have done: win back-to-back trophies.
Nobody has done it since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 and Argentina know the odds are stacked against them to repeat.
But their tactics will be very similar to 2022 in Qatar. Stay tight at the back and then get Messi the ball in key areas with a bit of space to work his magic.
Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez will all play a big role in Argentina’s attacking output too. But Messi still holds the key and everyone knows it.
