Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener, with Lionel Messi scoring his first hat trick in the tournament. The match was played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
- Messi scored three goals to lead Argentina to victory. - The game was the defending champion's first match of the 2026 World Cup.
- The announced crowd was 68,527, near the stadium's capacity. - Fans from both teams created a lively atmosphere despite the result.
Argentina's dominant performance sets a strong tone for their title defense, while Algeria will look to rebound in their next match.