Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in 2026 World Cup opener as Messi matches Klose record

Argentina began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in the opening match. Lionel Messi scored all three goals, taking his World Cup tally to 16 and drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the competition's all-time leading scorer. Messi's first World Cup goal came against Serbia and Montenegro at Germany 2006, 20 years ago. The Argentina captain also became the oldest player to score more than once in a World Cup match at 38 years and 357 days, surpassing Roger Milla's previous record, and joined Brazil's Rivelino as the joint-leading scorer from outside the penalty area in the tournament since 1966, with five goals each. Messi is the second player to score in five different World Cups after Cristiano Ronaldo. Rodrigo De Paul recorded his 13th international assist on his 88th appearance for Argentina. Algeria failed to register a shot on goal and has now lost the opening match of each of its last three World Cup appearances, in 2010, 2014 and 2026.