Guwahati, June 17 -- By NE NOW NEWS

Guwahati: Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and equalled former German striker Miroslav Klose's all-time FIFA World Cup goals record as defending champions Argentina opened their 2026 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J.

Messi struck in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes to secure Argentina's opening win and take his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing level with Klose at the top of the tournament's all-time scoring charts.

The hat-trick was Messi's first at a FIFA World Cup and came on his 200th appearance for Argentina. The 39-year-old also became the first player to feature in six World Cups.

Argentina, eager to avoid a repeat of their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 ...