Lionel Messi registered his first World Cup hat trick and moved into a tie for first on the tournament's career scoring list in a brilliant performance against Algeria on Tuesday night

The match against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, also marks the start of the sixth and possibly final World Cup for Lionel Messi. One of the best players of a generation turns 39 later this month and is widely expected to retire from international competition following this year’s expanded 48-team tournament.

Lionel Messi used the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes, a flood of emotions cracking his usually calm, confident demeanor after he gave Argentina an early lead in its World Cup opener against Algeria.

Lionel Messi tied the men's World Cup scoring record when he scored his third goal late in the Argentina vs. Algeria opening match.

Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat trick on his 200th cap as Argentina beat Algeria.

Those in attendance at Argentina’s opening match against Algeria could be forgiven, for a moment, for thinking they were at one of the great Argentinian cathedrals of football – La Bombonera, or maybe the national stadium,

A Lionel Messi hat trick stunned fans for Argentina vs. Algeria to kick of the 2026 World Cup. Follow the match live for highlights and analysis

SportsLine soccer expert Brandt Sutton has analyzed the Lionel Messi odds, and locked in his picks and predictions for Argentina vs. Algeria