Photos: Messi scores his first World Cup hat trick vs. Algeria in Kansas City
By Dominick Williams ,
Emily Curiel and
Travis Heying
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
After scoring the lone first-half goal, Messi netted two more after halftime for his first-ever World Cup hat trick. And it happened in Kansas City.
Messi now has 16 career World Cup goals, tied with former German star Miroslav Klose for the most ever. There’s a three-way tie for third: Kylian Mbappe, Gerd Muller and former Brazil star Cristiano Ronaldo.
A chance at No. 4 and the sole spot on the career list wasn’t meant to be when Messi was subbed out in the 79th minute. He left to cheers from the Argentina fans.
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
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 forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring 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. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Argentina celebrates after Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) scored the team's first 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 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. Emily Curiel ecuriel@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. 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. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his third 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. 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. 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. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammate midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (7) after scoring his third 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
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
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) embraces teammate defender Nahuel Molina (26) after scoring his third 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
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 11:00 PM.
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.
