World Cup 2026: Messi's Magic Hat-Trick, Haaland Scores Twice

Lionel Messi delivered a magical performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in the 2026 World Cup. The legendary captain's treble cemented his place in football history, bringing his total World Cup goals to 16, equaling the record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.

In addition to his scoring feat, Messi achieved another milestone by becoming the first player ever to participate in six World Cups, spanning from 2006 to 2026. He opened his scoring account in the 17th minute with a strike from the edge of the penalty area, added an easy goal around the hour mark, and completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a precise shot into the net.

Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressed his admiration, stating, "Messi has surprised me for 20 years." He added, "Everyone wants to see him, not just Argentinians. We must enjoy what he transmits to the whole world."

Meanwhile, Norway's star striker Erling Haaland also made a strong debut in the tournament, scoring two goals in their 4-1 win over Iraq. Leo Ostigard added a fourth for Norway, while Iraq's Aymen Hussein scored an own goal late in the match. France also secured a victory, defeating Senegal 3-1. These results place Norway at the top of Group I based on goal difference, ahead of France.