Lionel Messi scored his first ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 [1] victory over Algeria.

The performance marks a historic milestone for the forward and solidifies Argentina's standing in the 2026 [2] tournament. The result has drawn widespread attention from football analysts and former players regarding Messi's enduring impact on the game.

Messi provided all three goals in the match [1]. This marks the first time in his World Cup career that he has recorded a hat-trick [3]. The dominant display left the Algerian defense unable to recover, ensuring a clean sheet for the Argentinian side [1].

Former players and commentators reacted to the match with praise. Thierry Henry highlighted the unique quality of the player's game. "Leo is just different," Henry said [3].

Zlatan Ibrahimović also weighed in on the performance, urging fans to appreciate the moment. "Enjoy him," Ibrahimović said [4].

Alex Lalas described the impact of the goals during video commentary. "Messi’s hat-trick heroics were unbelievable," Lalas said [5].

Rebecca Lowe and other analysts joined the discussion on the performance, focusing on the technical execution of the three goals. The victory keeps Argentina in a strong position as they navigate the group stages of the 2026 [2] competition. The match serves as a reminder of Messi's ability to dictate the outcome of high-stakes international fixtures, even in the later stages of his career.

“Leo is just different”

This performance is significant because it fills a rare gap in Messi's statistical resume by providing his first World Cup hat-trick. By delivering a dominant 3-0 victory, Messi demonstrates that he remains the primary offensive engine for Argentina in the 2026 tournament, shifting the conversation from his age to his continued clinical efficiency on the world stage.