Argentina commenced its 2026 World Cup campaign with a dominant performance against Algeria, winning with a hattrick from Lionel Messi. The match, which began at 3:00 AM Dutch time, marked the start of Argentina’s defense of their world title. Messi’s three goals highlighted a historic evening for the Argentinian team and fans. This victory sets a strong tone for Argentina as they pursue another championship. The game showcased Messi’s continued prowess and leadership on the international stage. Algeria faced a formidable opponent in the opening match of the tournament. Argentina’s performance signals their intent to be strong contenders throughout the World Cup.