The current champions began their search for a fourth World Cup title on a historic night for Lionel Messi. With three goals from the star, the so-called hat-trick, Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 this Tuesday (16), in Kansas City, to open Group J, which also includes Austria and Jordan. Called up for the sixth World Cup of his career, just like Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi was the first to take to the field. The athlete with the most appearances in the World Cup, now with 27 appearances, the number 10 reached 16 goals in the tournament and equaled former German center forward Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the history of the event among men. Related news: Haaland shines and Norway defeats Iraq in their return to the World Cup. France beats Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup Group I debut. Ghana player loses appeal to obtain visa before World Cup game. The triumph also ended an uncomfortable fast for the Argentines. On the two previous occasions in which they debuted in a World Cup as title holders, the South Americans had been defeated. In 1982, four years after their first victory, the hermanos lost to Belgium in the first round. In 1990, the stumble of the 1986 champion team was to Cameroon. Now, it was very different. Messi celebrates goals scored against Algeria in the 2026 World Cup -Photo Reuters/Jay Biggerstaff/Reproduction prohibited The Argentines, with three points, continue in the United States for the second round of Group J. Next Monday (22), at 2pm (Brasília time), they will face Austria. The Algerians, zeroed out, go to Canada. On Tuesday (23), starting at midnight, they will face Jordan in Santa Clara, seeking rehabilitation. Crack night Before the clock reached nine minutes, the net had already swung twice in Kansas City, but neither was worth it. First with Messi, at five. Then with midfielder Fares Chaibi, at seven. The goals were disallowed due to millimetric offsides. At 16, there was no detail or marker that could stop Messi. The number 10 was launched by midfielder Rodrigo de Paul through the middle, carried the ball to the half-moon and shot into the left corner of the goal defended by Luca Zidane. The archer, who is the son of former midfielder Zinedine Zidane, a Frenchman of Algerian descent, touched the ball but was unable to save. It was everything Argentina expected to pace the game and manage possession of the ball, exchanging passes with calm and patience. In the 30th minute, Messi escaped being sent off after tackling Aïssa Mandi. The defender demanded intervention from the video referee, but nothing was called other than the foul. The match was under total control of the Argentines until the final minutes of the first half, when Algeria managed to balance the actions and had Chaibi as the main escape to scare goalkeeper Dibu Martínez. The African team lacked quality in finishing. The second half was Messi's recital. In the 14th minute, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister finished from distance and Zidane rebounded at the feet of the number 10, who took advantage to score the second. Finally, at 30, the 38-year-old star received the ball from striker Nico González at the edge of the area and shot hard and low, into the goalkeeper's right corner, closing the score and putting his name in history once again.