Fans at Argentina’s opening match against Algeria could easily mistake Kansas City Stadium for one of the revered football cathedrals in Argentina, such as La Bombonera or El Monumental. On Tuesday night, nearly 70,000 supporters of the Albiceleste filled the stands, their voices rising in joyous song for their team and their superstar.
They had ample reason to celebrate.
Argentina delivered a remarkable performance, led by Lionel Messi, who marked his 200th international appearance with a stunning hat-trick. This achievement allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose’s record for the most goals scored in World Cup history, now standing at 16. This performance came shortly after Kylian Mbappé of France had surpassed him with 14 goals.
Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, also became the first male player to participate in six World Cups. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to match this record when Portugal begins their campaign. Despite recovering from a muscle injury in the prior weeks, Messi’s inclusion in Lionel Scaloni’s starting lineup silenced any lingering doubts about his fitness.
The Argentine forward nearly opened the scoring just five minutes into the game, receiving a through-ball in a promising position. His shot was well-placed but ruled offside by the smallest of margins by assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz. Similarly, Algeria’s Farès Chaïbi had a well-executed finish called back for offside shortly after.
Messi wasted no time in putting Argentina in front, finding the net in the 17th minute. After receiving a pass from his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul from 40 yards out, Messi took three decisive touches before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box that slipped past Algeria’s goalkeeper, Luca Zidane.
One blemish on an otherwise stellar performance occurred in the first half when Messi avoided punishment for a reckless tackle, where he appeared to scrape his cleats across Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi’s leg. Many believed he warranted a yellow card, if not a red, but no action was taken, and the incident went unreviewed.
Messi’s second goal came in the 60th minute, and it was even easier than the first. After a long-range effort from Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was deflected by Zidane, the ball landed perfectly for Messi, who calmly slotted it into the net from close range. Algeria’s defense was again absent, while Argentina maintained a solid defensive performance throughout.
The Argentinian star completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a classic Messi finish, threading the ball through three defenders and just beyond the reach of Zidane. He exited the match shortly thereafter.
Both Algeria and Argentina’s fans have been actively engaged in festivities leading up to the match, with Argentinian supporters gathering at a local park for a celebratory event the night before, singing and dancing late into the night. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, filled with noise and excitement long before kickoff.
In Lawrence, Kansas, where Algeria is based for the tournament, the local residents have warmly welcomed their supporters. Despite being outnumbered, pockets of Algerian fans emerged amid the sea of blue and white, passionately encouraging their team.
The 28th-ranked Algerians aimed for a brighter return to the World Cup following a 12-year absence, having rejuvenated their squad under coach Vladimir Petković. Known for their energetic play during qualifiers, glimpses of that vigor were visible, especially towards the end of the first half, although they struggled with finishing and never truly posed a threat.
Algeria’s upcoming match against Jordan is now crucial, as they believe it will be a more balanced contest compared to facing Argentina.
Scaloni had managed expectations prior to the match, suggesting that a victory over the Desert Foxes was not crucial. He is well aware of the pressure after Argentina’s unexpected defeat to Saudi Arabia in their group stage opener during the last World Cup.
Despite the pre-match reservations, Scaloni will undoubtedly be pleased with the three points earned, bringing Argentina closer to advancing to the knockout stage. They are set to face Austria in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, where Messi will look to add to his historic achievements.
