What Lionel Messi’s World Cup Hat-trick Against Algeria Means For Super Eagles

Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cupa, Afrik-Foot reports.

​The Barcelona legend opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a strike from outside the box that left Algeria’s goalkeeper, Luca Zidane, scrambling.

He then doubled his tally in the 60th minute, pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot, before sealing his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a clinical low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

The result leaves Argentina comfortably at the top of Group J, signaling a strong start to their title defense.

​While Nigeria is absent from this year’s tournament, Argentina’s win over Algeria has significant implications for the record books regarding the Super Eagles.

What Lionel Messi’s World Cup Hat-trick Against Algeria Means For Super Eagles

​Before this match, Nigeria held the unfortunate record of being the African team that had conceded the most goals to Messi, having allowed him to score three times against them. However, with this hat-trick, Algeria has now surged to the top of that list.

​Messi has now scored five goals against the Fennec Foxes in just two encounters. His first meeting with Algeria was during an international friendly in June 2007; the then-19-year-old scored twice in a 4-3 victory for a youthful Albiceleste side.

By adding three more on Wednesday, he has eclipsed his record against Nigeria.

​Messi’s three goals against Nigeria were accumulated over four meetings—a tally that could have been higher were it not for the heroics of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

​As Argentina looks to defend the title they won in 2022, the Super Eagles’ absence from the 2026 World Cup means it is unlikely that Messi will have the opportunity to add to his tally against Nigeria anytime soon.