Image Credits: Imago Images
Alexis Mac Allister and Argentina kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup title defence in the perfect fashion on Tuesday night in Kansas City, dismantling Algeria 3-0 in a performance that was ultimately defined by one man – Lionel Messi.
The defending champions, who famously stumbled in their opening game at the 2022 World Cup against Saudi Arabia before going on to lift the trophy, left no such room for doubt this time around.
It was a night of records at Arrowhead Stadium. Messi opened the scoring after just 17 minutes, rifling a 20-yard screamer into the roof of the net after combining with Rodrigo de Paul.
He then doubled Argentina’s lead on the hour mark, tapping home after Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane spilled a shot from Mac Allister directly into his path.
The Liverpool midfielder’s effort proved to be the decisive contribution in the build-up, with his shot forcing the rebound that Messi could not miss. The 38-year-old then completed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute.
It took Messi to 16 World Cup goals, drawing level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in the tournament’s history.
As for Mac Allister, the Liverpool midfielder put in a solid if not spectacular showing. He completed 60 of 64 passes at a 94% accuracy rate, won two interceptions, and registered a key pass.
His father and agent Carlos Mac Allister has publicly dismissed transfer rumours, insisting “the information circulating about Alexis is incorrect” and that no discussions with Real Madrid have taken place.
Meanwhile, Argentine media were not entirely happy with his performance in the middle of the park.
Clarin gave the Liverpool No.10 a 6/10 and wrote:
“At times playing as a central midfielder and at others drifting to the left, the role didn’t suit Argentina’s defensive structure—especially in the final 15 minutes of the first half, when the Algerians repeatedly got in behind him.
“He improved toward the end, delivering a great through ball to Messi that the Algerian goalkeeper managed to save. One of his shots also led to Messi’s second goal.”
TyC Sport gave were a bit harsher with a 5/10 rating and suggested that the 27-year-old was somewhat “uncomfortable”:
“Somewhat uncomfortable, he failed to organize himself in that tandem with Enzo in fragments of the match. As the minutes went by, he settled down a little although he never managed to be preponderant, neither in the recovery nor in the set-up of the game.”
With three points in the bag, Argentina now turn their attention to the remaining two Group J fixtures. They face Austria at the Dallas Stadium on June 22, before rounding off the group stage against Jordan at the same venue on June 27.