With a stellar Messi, the National Team thrashed Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup debut

Argentina had to come to show what CONMEBOL is made of. After the winless performances of Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador, and Uruguay, the national team stood tall for the region in the 2026 World Cup with a resounding 3-0 over Algeria, entirely authored by Lionel Messi, in their debut in Group J.

As soon as the match started, the Albiceleste would come out strong and have two dangerous chances in just a few minutes: a header from Lautaro Martínez straight to the hands of goalkeeper Luca Zidane and a disallowed goal for offside by Messi. On the other hand, the African team would also shout in vain for a goal shortly after, as Farès Chaïbi was caught offside before beating Dibu Martínez.

Despite the bitterness of not being able to convert on their first chance, the Flea would rub the lamp again at the 16th minute, and this time there would be no argument to not call it. The Rosario star would receive a pass from Rodrigo De Paul in midfield and, after a bit of dribbling, would unleash a deadly left-footed shot that Zidane could not contain.

In the following minutes, the national team would continue to create plays with many touches near the opponent's goal, although they would not manage to create standout chances, while the Algerians, pressured by the score, would start to get excited with some promising arrivals, but without effectiveness.

In the second half, Lionel Scaloni would make some changes to refresh the defense and attack: Nahuel Molina for Gonzalo Montiel and later Nicolás González and Julián Álvarez for Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martínez, who would have a shot in the 53rd minute cleared by Zidane's son before leaving.

Just like at the end of the first 45, "The Desert Foxes" would dominate much of the possession and attacks to equalize, however, it would be the Albiceleste that would score. In the 59th minute, after a clearance from Ramy Bensebaini, the ball would fall to Alexis Mac Allister, who would shoot from distance and force an awkward rebound for Zidane, which he would leave perfectly set up for Messi for the 2-0.

Moments later, the Inter Miami forward would be close to the third. In the 65th minute, Mac Allister would assist the 10, who would find himself one-on-one with Zidane and attempt to chip it, but the goalkeeper would manage to deflect it to the corner just in time.

Just like with his first goal, the wait for his hat-trick would be short, as in the 75th minute the former Barcelona player would score again: the substitute Nico González would cross for the GOAT, who would hit a low left-footed shot for the 3-0, a conversion that equaled Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in World Cup history. After his goal, Messi would be replaced by Nico Paz, who would come on along with Nicolás Otamendi, who would replace Cristian Romero.

Despite several minutes remaining until the end, the final passages of the match would be completely filler until the regular time and added time were consumed.

After this victory, the Argentine National Team will seek qualification for the Round of 16 against Austria next Monday, June 22 at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Meanwhile, Algeria will try to recover against Jordan on Tuesday, June 23 at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco.