2022 World Cup finalists Argentina and France kicked off the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, on Wednesday with a bang.
Defending champions Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 with three goals from Lionel Messi (17', 60', 76') at Kansas City Stadium, Kansas, Wednesday WIB.
This three-goal hat trick marked Messi's first World Cup hat trick since his debut in Germany in 2006. With this, he became the 2026 World Cup's all-time leading scorer, equaling Germany's Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scorer record of 16 goals.
The Tango team's victory puts them top of Group J with three points. They lead Austria on goal difference, which also defeated debutants Jordan 3-1 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara earlier today.
