As so often, Messi's magic drags Argentina to victory!

The Albiceleste open their World Cup defense with a 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, thanks to the captain's first hat-trick in the competition (1.23 to 0.31 on xG).

Messi had a goal ruled out for offside just six minutes in, a decision followed 120 seconds later by a similar call on Chaibi.

But Messi made it right just after the quarter-hour mark, placing a perfect shot from distance into the top corner to give the CONMEBOL side the lead at the interval.

Messi made it two on the hour with an opportunistic finish after Zidane's inability to gather a Mac Allister effort.

The number 10 completed his hat-trick with 14 minutes to go, scoring a goal similar to his first from just outside the area.

He's now joint-level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scoring charts and will have the chance to take sole possession of first on Monday when Argentina play Austria in Dallas.

Algeria meet Jordan on the same day at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

That concludes our commentary of the 2026 World Cup Group J match between Argentina and Algeria!

Full-Time

FULL-TIME!

Argentina takes a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria.

Argentina's first World Cup match against CAF opposition was a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in 1990.

Since then, they've won all six such matches, with five of those victories coming against Nigeria.

Molina is in no hurry for a throw-in deep in his own half, with the three points secured.

He won't be able to waste too much time, though, as more than five seconds could see possession awarded to Algeria.

The fourth official signals six minutes of stoppage time will be added to the end of the match.

Mahrez cuts in from the right and switches play to Ait-Nouri, but his heavy first touch allows De Paul to storm across and whack the ball out for a throw-in.

Mahrez steps up for a left-footed free kick, trying to curl it up and over the wall, but the barrier holds firm and protects Emiliano Martinez.

Mac Allister charges through the back of Aouar, giving Algeria a free kick just outside the semi-circle attached to the Argentina penalty area.

SUB: Maza is replaced by Zerrouki after needing time to recover.

Petkovic makes the change in the 82nd minute.

SUB: Boulbina enters the game in the late stages, replacing Bentaleb, as Algeria searches for a way back into this contest.