FIFA World Cup

Photos: Relive Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in KC’s first World Cup match

By Dominick Williams , Emily Curiel and Travis Heying
Argentina and Algeria line up ahead of their World Cup game at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina and Algeria line up ahead of their World Cup game at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Alexa Stone

Kansas City’s first World Cup match was one for the history books.

As much as the feel-good story of this World Cup in KC — before today, at least — was about the city (and nearby Lawrence) embracing Algeria, today was all about Lionel Messi and Argentina. A dominant, decisive win.

In the 3-0 victory, Messi scored a hat trick and tied the World Cup career record for goals with 16.

Inside Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium the crowd was electric. Instead of a sea of Chiefs red, the stands were filled with Argentine blue and white. Kansas City’s GOAT, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas were alll on hand to see the Argentine superstar dominate the match.

Relive the game in photos:

Argentina fans make some noise ahead of the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina fans make some noise ahead of the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes takes a photo of the electric atmosphere ahead of the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes takes a photo of the electric atmosphere ahead of the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) enters Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City for Argentina vs. Algeria, the FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) enters Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City for Argentina vs. Algeria, the FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
Algerian fans cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Algerian fans cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with Argentina defender Cristian Romero (13) after Messi scored the first goal of the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with Argentina defender Cristian Romero (13) after Messi scored the first goal of the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
Argentina fans cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina fans cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps as players take the field for the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps as players take the field for the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
The Argentina fans stay on their feet to cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The Argentina fans stay on their feet to cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his second goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Algeria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Kansas City.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his second goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Algeria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
An Argentina fan watches the intently at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
An Argentina fan watches the intently at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stands in a suite watching the players take the field at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stands in a suite watching the players take the field at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Argentina fans celebrate with drums in the stands at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina fans celebrate with drums in the stands at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Algeria midfielder Farès Chaïbi (10) and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (7) battle for the ball in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Algeria midfielder Farès Chaïbi (10) and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (7) battle for the ball in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after his second goal in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after his second goal in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his second goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Algeria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Kansas City.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his second goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Algeria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The crowd goes wild following Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria at the FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The crowd goes wild following Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria at the FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates during Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria during the FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates during Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria during the FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after his second goal in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after his second goal in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) and his teammates celebrate after his second goal in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) and his teammates celebrate after his second goal in the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Fans cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Fans cheer at the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
The sun sets over the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The sun sets over the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) blows a kiss to the crowd after one of his three goals during the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) blows a kiss to the crowd after one of his three goals during the Argentina vs. Algeria FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Travis Heying theying@wichitaeagle.com

This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 11:34 PM.

Profile Image of Dominick Williams
Dominick Williams
The Kansas City Star
Dominick Williams serves as a visual journalist for the Kansas City Star. His journalistic endeavors cover a diverse array of topics, notably sports, breaking news, human interest narratives, and culinary features.
Profile Image of Emily Curiel
Emily Curiel
The Kansas City Star
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
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