Argentina began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria. Lionel Messi spearheaded the win, scoring a hat-trick and demonstrating continued dominance for the defending champions. The match, played in Group J, saw Argentina control the game from the start, leaving Algeria struggling to respond. This result marks a positive start for Lionel Scaloni’s team as they aim to qualify for the next World Cup. The Algerian side faced a significant challenge against the South American champions and were unable to mount a substantial offensive threat. The win reinforces Argentina’s status as a strong contender for the upcoming tournament.