The Algeria national football team lost their first match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 to Argentina 3-0, with Lionel Messi scoring three goals in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes. Algeria's hopes were dashed with a poor and weak performance against the 2022 World Cup champions. The team, led by captain Aissa Mandi, suffered a painful and heavy defeat, with three goals conceded without reply, all scored by Messi. Messi equalled the record for most goals scored in the history of the FIFA World Cup (16 goals) held by German player Miroslav Klose. Read also about Algeria's performance in the match and their chances in the tournament. Argentina played without resistance and with ease, and Messi and his teammates took advantage of their opponents' confusion and lack of confidence in their ability to bother them. They roamed the field with confidence, while Mandi's teammates watched their opponents as if they were unable to move. The performance was poor and did not improve in the second half, as Argentina continued to dominate the ball and the game, launching attacks one after another, with the impression that they were about to hit the Algerian goal at any moment. And so, after several attempts and shots over the bar, Messi took advantage of a rebound from Zidane after a shot from Mac Allister to score the second goal (in the 60th minute). Messi completed the festival with a third goal in the 76th minute after a double play with Gonzalez, shooting into the right corner of the goalkeeper and exploding the stands of Kansas City stadium with joy and joy amidst the disappointment of the Algerian fans who were overwhelmed by the massive Argentine numbers.