Argentina vs Algeria: Result, Stats & Predictions (World Cup 2026)
Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, equalling Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record on his record-breaking 200th international appearance.
16 June 2026
Result
Argentina opened their title defence with a clinical 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City. Lionel Messi scored all three goals: in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes. It was the first World Cup hat-trick of Messi's career and one of the most history-laden individual performances the tournament has ever seen. Algeria, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, had no answer to a side that barely shifted out of second gear.
What It Means for Last Man Standing Pools
Argentina were the most-backed team in the tournament by most pool players' reckoning — defending champions, Messi still in the squad, Algeria a significant step below them in class. This was the LMS pick that was supposed to be too obvious to be interesting, and it absolutely delivered. Three goals, clean sheet, comfortable from start to finish. The key question for pool players now: Argentina have been used. They'll almost certainly win Group J, but anyone who backed them here now needs to find their next pick without the comfort of the world champions in reserve.
Pre-Match Predictions
Pre-match forecasts on Kalshi had Argentina at 71% implied probability to win, the draw at 20%, and Algeria at 11%. This was one of the most lopsided group-stage matchups on paper — the world's top-ranked side against a team ranked 28th globally. The forecasts expected a comfortable Argentina win, and that is exactly what happened. The only surprise was the manner: Messi scoring a hat-trick rather than the team winning 2-0 through a workmanlike collective performance. If anything, the 3-0 scoreline understated Argentina's control.
Standout Stats
Messi's three goals took him to 16 World Cup goals across six tournaments, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time record. Klose needed four World Cups and 24 appearances to reach 16; Messi reached the same total across six. The match was also Messi's 200th cap for Argentina — making him the first player to make 200 appearances for La Albiceleste, per Argentine FA records. Per tournament data, Messi became the first player in men's World Cup history to appear at six different tournaments. Argentina had 10 shots on goal with 6 on target; Algeria managed 7 attempts with just 1 on target, reflecting how entirely the defending champions controlled the afternoon.
Want to Run a World Cup Pool?
If you're running a Last Man Standing pool for the World Cup, Matchroom handles the picks and results automatically — free at getmatchroom.app.
Run your own pool — free, in 60 seconds.
No spreadsheets. One link. Everyone picks from their phone.
CREATE A POOL →