FT That's the Full-Time whistle from the referee, and it's Argentina who have proved why they aren't just the defending champions but also the No. 1 side in the world. A Lionel Messi hat-trick sums up how dominant the South Americans were today. For Algeria, this was a lesson in how to play football at this level. 

90' Argentina are only looking to close the game, not rushing to score another. 6 minutes of stoppage time is added to the match as we breach the 90-minute mark. 

89' Algeria have 0 goals on target from the 7 shots they managed to execute today. Argentina, on the other hand, have 6 on target from the 10 shots they tried in the match so far. The statistics tell us everything about how toothless Algeria have been in the final third today.

86' Big chance for Algeria here. Free kick in a very dangerous position just outside the box. Riyad Mahrez stands over the ball, but the defensive wall does its job to block the free-kick from the edge of the penalty box.

82' Nico Paz is brought on in place of Lionel Messi, meaning he would not be able to break Klose's record today. Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina manager, doesn't want to exert too much pressure on Messi. He has done his job for the day.

HAAAATTTTTRRRIIICCCKKKKKK for Lionel Messi. There's just no stopping Lionel Messi today. A special player scores another special goal as Messi scores his first World Cup hat-trick. Another record for Lionel Messi as he equals Miroslav Klose in the list of most goals scored in World Cup history, at 16. 

A huge penalty shout by Argentina as Lionel Messi is brought down. Julian Alvarez found the ball right outside the 18-yard box, and he passes it to Messi, who is brought down. The referee, however, says NO PENALTY, even VAR agrees as the game goes on.

69' Houssem Aouar comes too close to scoring Algeria's first. After receiving a pass on the edge of the area, he unleashed a shot that whistled inches wide of the left post. The ball drifted out of play, and Argentina were awarded a goal kick.

It's time for the second hydration break of the game!

66' Would this be Lionel Messi's first hat-trick in a World Cup? The Algerian goalkeeper says NO, at least for the time being. Messi leaves behind the defenders to launch a solo run at the goal but his strike is saved by Zidane. Wow, that could've been 3-0.

64' Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura and Houssem Aouar are introduced in the second half by Algeria as their manager makes a triple-change. Algeria are behind 0-2 and they are running out of time to turn the tables. 

GOOAAALLLL! A wonderful strike from Messi to make it 2-0 for Argentina. The GOAT was at the right place at the right time to make pounce on a rebound opportunity. He uses his right foot to hit the bottom right corner. 

55' Lautaro Martinez draws a diving save from Algeria goalkeeper Zidane. That was the first big opportunity Argentina have created since Messi's opener. Two more changes for Argentina as Nicolas Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez come on!

51' Lionel Messi launches another strike from distance, but it's quite a poor effort from his standards. The ball flies miles over the crossbar. The second half is off to a cagey start.

49' No change in approach by Algeria as the second half begins, Solo, direct runs haven't proved effective against Argentina's defence, but Algeria is yet to come up with a Plan B. 

Argentina make one change at the start of the second half. Nahuel Molina comes on the pitch for Gonzalo Montiel. Considering the team's troubles on the left flank, this change had to be made.

More of the same from Argentina, or can we expect Algeria to fix their final third blues and equalise? It's going to be a tricky first half as Algeria can't allow Messi another sniff at the goal. The second half is underway in Kansas City!

Lionel Messi, the man who became the youngest goalscorer for Argentina in the FIFA World Cups when he scored in the 2006 edition of the tournament, has now become the oldest to score for them. Messi was just 18 years and 357 days old for LA Albiceleste in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Today, he is one week away from celebrating his 39th birthday.

Montiel wins the ball right outside the Argentina penalty box, bringing a dangerous-looking Algerian attack to an end. However, Algeria win possession back in the middle of the pitch to launch another assault. It is Musa who is causing problems for Argentina with his body feints and dribbles, but a poor final ball continues to leave the Algerians looking toothless in attack.

45' Algeria's Amine Gouiri looks to dribble past an opposing player and ends up winning a corner. The ball from the corner kick isn't the best as Argentina clear the threat effectively. 4 minutes of injury time added. 

Algeria's Fares Chaibi looks to head the ball from a teammate, but the attempt is far away from the target. It's nothing but a goal kick for Argentina. Algeria launching attacks but it's the final third that they are lacking the quality required to score against the defending world champions. 

39' Lautaro Martinez looks to create another chance for Argentina, Messi is involved too, but Algrian defends adapt well to close spaces. One player from Argentina runs too early, and the linesman raises his flag again for another offside call. The attempt ends!

36' Messi with a cheeky attempt to score the second goal of the day, from a distance through a free-kick. The idea was to catch the Algerian goalkeeper off guard, but the attempt is a poor one. A goal-kick.

31' Lionel Messi clattered into the legs of his opponent while challenging for the ball, prompting referee Szymon Marciniak to blow his whistle for a foul. Algeria were subsequently awarded a free kick.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has become only the second player in football history to score in 5 different FIFA World Cups. The other one? Cristiano Ronaldo

25' Messi at the center of every move Argentina try to orchestrate. It simply doesn’t look like the Argentina No. 10 is 38 years old. We enter the first hydration break of the tournament with Argentina deservedly 1-0 up. 

A brilliant attacking move from Argentina, as Rodrigo de Paul sets up Lionel Messi for the opener.

MESSI OPENS THE SCORING FOR ARGENTINA! WHAT A FANTASTIC GOAL!

Argentina 1-0 Algeria.pic.twitter.com/aVA5yg4x6X

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) June 17, 2026

GOOAAAALLLLL! This time, there can't be an offside as Lionel Messi scores an absolute screamer from outside the box to open the scoring, A brilliant, brilliant hit from the GOAT to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. 

Algeria surprisingly enjoying plenty of possession against the World No. 1 Argentina. The possession, however, doesn't quite produce an opportunity as Argentina win back possession and the ball is immideately passed to Messi. It's Argentina who have control now as Algerian players fall back to defend deep. 

14' Argentina right-back Gonzalo Montiel commits an ugly tackle on his opponent, but the referee gives him the benefit of the doubt this time. No booking for Montiel but Algeria continue to threaten from the left flank through Maza and Chaibi. 

9' GOOAAAALLLLL! Who saw that coming? Absolute drama in Kansas as it's Algeria who open the scoring against the reigning champions. Fares Chaibi had the ball in the back of the net as celebrations begin! But, VAR intervenes and this is deemed another OFFSIDE call. What is happening here?

6' Lionel Messi almost lifts the entire stadium with an early goal after an excellent passing move in and around the Algeria penalty box. Messi has the ball in the back of the net but the linesman says he was offside. Messi disagrees but it stays 0-0.

4' Lionel Messi's strike partner Lautaro Martinez, with the first sniff at goal in the match, he heads the ball towards the goal, but it lands straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. The linesman than raises his flag, OFFSIDE!

1' Enzo Fernandez, Argentina's midfield destructor in action right from the start as he dispossesses his opponent of the ball, but ends up committing a foul. It's a free-kick for Algeria in the middle of the pitch. 

National anthems of Argentina and Algeria are over, and the two sets of players have arrived on the pitch. Messi, other than representing Argentina in the World Cups for the 6th time, is also making his 200th appearance for the national team today!

Tied with Diego Maradona in the list of most assists in FIFA World Cup history, with 8, Messi has the chance to go past the all-time great today. He will also have his eyes on Miroslav Klose's record of most goals in the tournaement's history. 

It's the pairing of Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez that starts in the 4-4-2 formation for Argentina against Algeria, while Julian Alvarez, the man under intense transfer speculation this summer, is on the bench. Fair call?

Today's FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Argentina and Algeria also presents the second-ever meeting between the nations, with Argentina claiming a 4-2 victory in an international friendly in 2007 in their only previous encounter. The 19-year-old game at the Camp Nou in Barcelona is also widely remembered as it was the first time when Messi scored his international double. 

“Not only the Argentinian population but everybody — the whole planet — wants to see him play,” Lionel Scaloni explained. “Everybody wants to see him on the pitch, because he has an effect not only on Argentina fans but supporters all over the world.”

Lionel Scaloni tends to be pensive about a lot of things, but especially when the subject turns to another Lionel — a much more famous one, arguably the most famous athlete in the world, and one the Argentina coach gets to see on a daily basis. 

Oh!! A very strange call has been taken by Algeria ahead of their FIFA World Cup opener against Argentina. Riyad Mahrez has not been picked in Algeria's starting lineup for their World Cup opener, which comes as a surprise because he is the team captain and one of Africa's top players. 

Erling Haaland scored his first two World Cup goals, including one off a defensive blunder, and added an assist in his tournament debut Tuesday to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I. It was the 56th and 57th international goals for the Manchester City striker and came in Norway’s first appearance in the tournament since reaching the round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup in France — two years before Haaland was born.

Thousands of Argentine fans have taken over Kansas City ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria. pic.twitter.com/sjs0Pp7fey

— MC (@CrewsMat10) June 16, 2026

Argelinos e Argentinos saindo na porrada no meio da Time Square

ISSO É COPA DO MUNDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tDFTTexDiX

— Central do Braga (@CentralDoBrega) June 16, 2026

With an appearance in the Starting XI today, Lionel Messi is set to become the first man to play in six World Cups. Apart from this, the first game against Alegria also marks his 200th cap for Argentina. Surely a memorable game for him and all his fans around the world. 

The world champions Argentina are currently at the summit of the FIFA rankings. Here are the Top 10 rankings:

1. Argentina
2. Spain
3. France
4. England
5. Portugal
6. Brazil
7. Morocco
8. Netherlands
9. Belgium
10. Germany

ARGENTINA HAS ARRIVED 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/n2aHXlSgki

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 16, 2026

Argentina: E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Almada.

Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Hadj Moussa, Chaibi, Gouiri; Maza.

Lionel Messi is set to play in a sixth World Cup and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the 38-year-old linchpin of his team "looks good" despite suffering a hamstring injury playing for club side Inter Miami in late May.

"Everyone wants to see him out on the pitch, not just Argentines, because of the impact he has on people," Scaloni said at his pre-match press conference.

"He has always been crucial for us and now he will be even more so. He looks good."

It's just 5 AM in India but the football fans are already up to see the icon Lionel Messi take the centre stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The man, who guided Argentina to the FIFA title in 2022, is making his sixth World Cup appearance. Amid all his injury concerns, Messi will be in the spotlight today. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group J match between the defending champions Argentina and Algeria, straight from the Kansas Stadium. Stay tuned for all the live updates.