Argentina v Algeria
Play By Play
FULL-TIME: ARGENTINA 3-0 ALGERIA
Argentina’s first World Cup match against CAF opposition ended in a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in 1990. Since then, they’ve won all six such matches – five of them against Nigeria.
Molina is in absolutely no hurry as he stands poised for a throw in his own half, with the job done and the three points secure. The full-back won’t be able to take too much time off the clock before putting the ball in play though, as any more than five seconds could prompt the referee to award possession to Algeria instead.
The fourth official indicates six minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Mahrez cuts inside from the right and switches play out to Ait-Nouri, whose first touch is heavy, allowing De Paul to storm across and whack the ball out of play for a throw.
In good position for a left-footed effort, Mahrez steps up and attempts to curl his free-kick up and over the wall - but the barrier holds firm and protects Emiliano Martinez.
Mac Allister charges through the back of Aouar - giving Algeria a free-kick just outside the semi-circle attached to the Argentina penalty area.
Minutes after requiring a bit of time to gather himself, Maza is taken off by Petkovic, who gives Zerrouki the opportunity to impress.
Still searching for a way to take something from the game, Boulbina is introduced in the late stages of the contest, with Bentaleb recalled to the bench.
A veteran of the squad, Otamendi gets a chance to stretch his legs with the result seemingly beyond doubt. Romero is the man to make way, in a straight swap at centre-back.
The supporters all around Kansas City Stadium rise to their feet to applaud Messi on his way off, with the captain given an early rest after notching his first World Cup hat-trick. Paz, who spent last season at Como, is on in his stead with 10 minutes to go.
Play is stopped for Maza, who has gone down off the ball in some distress - forcing Marciniak to go across to have a word with the player. The medical staff aren’t onto the pitch just yet as it looks as though the player will eventually be able to continue after taking a breather, though Petkovic will activate his bench just in case.
A FIRST WORLD CUP HAT-TRICK PUTS MESSI LEVEL WITH KLOSE! 3-0 ARGENTINA! Showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, the Argentina captain dribbles into Algeria’s half through the centre-circle before poking the ball out to the left for Gonzalez. After taking a touch, the substitute returns the ball to Messi, who inches into position, putting it on his left foot before curling a shot around a diving Zidane and in!
Despite leaving Messi with quite a bit to do to find the back of the net, Gonzalez registers an assist 21 minutes after his second-half introduction.
A coming-together between Messi and Ait-Nouri inside the Algeria 18-yard box sparks a wave of protests from the Argentina players looking for a spot-kick, but the referee makes up his mind immediately and allows play to continue with Algeria in possession.
Eight days shy of his 39th birthday, Messi has become the oldest player to score a brace in a World Cup match. He now has just one goal to go to put himself joint-level with Miroslav Klose for first in the all-time World Cup scoring charts (16). Klose managed it in four tournaments, playing in 24 matches, while this is The Argentina captain’s sixth - and his 28th game.
Ahead of Argentina’s goal-kick, referee Szymon Marciniak gives the two teams a second hydration break, with under 20 minutes left to play in Kansas City Stadium. It gives Algeria one last chance to establish a plan ahead of the final frame - with time running out to make it a contest late.
Mahrez looks to get involved immediately, bringing play to a standing stop before poking a pass through the lines to Chaibi. In a tight area, the winger turns ahead of Mac Allister and squares it across the edge of the penalty area for Aouar, who drags his first-time shot wide of Emiliano Martinez’s goal.
Amoura was the top scorer in the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with 10 goals in 10 matches. He and Baghdad Bounedjah (three) were the only Fennec players to score multiple times in the campaign. In total, Amoura was directly involved in 58% of Algeria's 24 strikes, scoring 10 and providing four assists.
GOOD SAVE! Looking for his first World Cup hat-trick, Messi tests Zidane from 20 yards away after holding off Ait-Nouri, forcing the goalkeeper to react quickly and throw up an arm to push the ball over the crossbar for a corner!
Amoura comes on as the Fennecs continue to roll the dice - ending Gouiri’s contest after 64 minutes.
Algeria’s first change of the contest sees Aouar enter the fray for Boudaoui.
Former Manchester City and Leicester City winger Mahrez makes his 2026 World Cup debut, on for Moussa with under a half-hour to go.
Messi is the first Argentina player to score in five consecutive World Cup matches, surpassing Hernan Crespo and Guillermo Stabile (four each).
WHO ELSE BUT MESSI?! 2-0 ARGENTINA! Messi puts his name second in the all-time World Cup goal scorer list with an opportunistic finish, staying onside while watching Zidane fail to smother Mac Allister’s shot from distance - giving the captain an opportunity to side-foot the ball past the sprawling goalkeeper and in at the bottom corner!
De Paul spots Messi inside the centre-circle and fashions a give-and-go with the captain, receiving it back on the right wing before teasing an inviting cross to the far post that’s prodded behind by Mandi.
