Algeria opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat to reigning champions Argentina on Tuesday in Kansas City. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and equalled a historic record.
The Fennecs believed. Buoyed by a strong run of friendly results, Vladimir Petković’s men fancied their chances of unsettling the title holders. But the dream quickly turned sour. In a Group J clash staged in Kansas City, Algeria fell to an Argentina side brimming with confidence and led by their legendary captain. Final score: 3-0. The step up proved far too steep, and the Greens learned it the hard way from the very first whistle of their World Cup.
Standing in their way was Lionel Messi. Quite simply. The Argentine struck a hat-trick (17′, 60′, 76′) and equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of sixteen goals. He also became the first player in history to feature in six editions of the tournament. A harsh lesson for Riyad Mahrez, Rayan Aït-Nouri and their teammates. Yet all is not lost: with two group games still to play, Algeria hold their fate in their own hands. In Algiers and across the diaspora, the belief lives on.