90' Full Time!

The final whistle blows in Kansas City. Argentina begins its World Cup title defense with an emphatic victory over Algeria, led by a memorable hat-trick performance from Lionel Messi.

82' Algeria Makes More Changes

Algeria makes two more substitutions as Ramiz Zerrouki and Adil Boulbina enter the match, replacing Ibrahim Maza and Nabil Bentaleb.

Score: Argentina 3-0 Algeria

80' Standing Ovation for Messi

Lionel Messi exits the match to a huge ovation after completing a stunning hat-trick. Nico Paz comes on in his place, while Nicolás Otamendi replaces Cristian Romero at the back.

Score: Argentina 3-0 Algeria

76' Hat-Trick for Messi!

Lionel Messi is putting on a show in Kansas City. The Argentine captain completes his hat-trick with a left-footed strike from outside the box after a setup from Nico González, making it 3-0.

Score: Argentina 3-0 Algeria

71' Play Resumes

The hydration break is over and play resumes in Kansas City. Argentina remains in front as Algeria looks for a way back into the match.

Score: Argentina 2-0 Algeria

69' Hydration Break

Play is temporarily stopped for the second hydration break of the match. Argentina remains in control with a two-goal advantage over Algeria.

Score: Argentina 2-0 Algeria

66' Messi's Looking for Hat-Trick

Lionel Messi tried his luck from distance after a pass from Alexis Mac Allister, but Luca Zidane was well positioned to make the save.

Score: Argentina 2-0 Algeria

64' Triple Substitution for Algeria

Algeria makes three changes in an attempt to get back into the match. Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, and Houssem Aouar come on for Anis Hadj Moussa, Amine Gouiri, and Hicham Boudaoui.

Score: Argentina 2-0 Algeria

60' Messi Scores Again!

Lionel Messi strikes once more. The Argentine captain finished from inside the box to grab his second goal of the night and extend Argentina's lead.

Score: Argentina 2-0 Algeria

55' Double Change for Argentina

Argentina makes its first substitutions of the night. Julián Álvarez comes on for Lautaro Martínez, while Nico González replaces Thiago Almada as Scaloni looks to add fresh legs in attack.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

54' Zidane Keeps Algeria Alive

Lautaro Martínez got a shot away from inside the box, but Luca Zidane made the save to prevent Argentina from doubling its lead.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

51' Messi Goes for Another

Lionel Messi tried his luck from outside the box after a pass from Nahuel Molina, but his effort flew over the goal.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

46' Second Half Underway!

The second half is now underway in Kansas City. Argentina looks to build on its lead, while Algeria searches for an equalizer.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

45+5' Halftime in Kansas City

The first half comes to an end in Kansas City. Argentina heads into the break with the lead thanks to Lionel Messi's goal.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

45+5' Mac Allister Misses a Chance

Argentina nearly doubled its lead. Alexis Mac Allister met a Lionel Messi free-kick delivery with a header, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

45' Four Minutes Added

The fourth official has signaled four minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Argentina will look to extend its lead, while Algeria pushes for an equalizer before the break.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

44' Chaïbi Tries Again

Farès Chaïbi continues to be Algeria's main attacking threat. This time he unleashed a shot from distance, but the effort sailed well over the crossbar.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

41' Chaïbi Goes Close for Algeria

Farès Chaïbi nearly found the equalizer for Algeria. Following a corner kick sequence, the midfielder met the ball with a header inside the box, but his effort drifted wide of the target.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

27' Play Resumes

The match is back underway in Kansas City after the hydration break. Argentina remains in front as both teams return to the field for the closing stages of the first half.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

25' Hydration Break in Kansas City

Play is temporarily halted for the match's first hydration break. Argentina heads into the pause with the lead thanks to Lionel Messi's goal and has largely controlled possession and the tempo against Algeria.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

17' Messi Scores a Stunning Opener!

This one counts. Lionel Messi unleashed a brilliant left-footed strike from outside the box, finding the top corner to give Argentina the lead. Rodrigo De Paul provided the assist for a moment of pure magic.

Score: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

8' Algeria's Celebration Cut Short by Offside Call

Farès Chaïbi believed he had given Algeria the lead after finding the back of the net and beginning his celebration. However, the play was ruled offside, and the goal was disallowed. It marks the second canceled goal of the match in the opening minutes of an eventful start in Kansas City.

Score: Argentina 0-0 Algeria

6' Messi Finds the Net, but the Goal Is Disallowed

Lionel Messi thought he had given Argentina the lead after finishing a promising attack, but the celebrations were cut short. The referee ruled the play offside, wiping the goal off the board. Argentina has controlled possession and dictated the tempo so far, while Algeria continues to hold firm in a hard-fought contest.

Score: Argentina 0-0 Algeria

0' Argentina vs Algeria Is Underway!

The action has begun at Kansas City Stadium. Defending champions Argentina kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against an Algeria side eager to make a statement in its tournament opener.

Score: Argentina 0-0 Algeria

Argentina's Starting XI

Algeria's Starting XI

Argentina Begins the Defense of Its World Cup Crown

The wait is over. Argentina kicks off its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign this Tuesday with a challenge that appears favorable on paper but comes with significant historical warnings. The team led by Lionel Scaloni will face Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in the opening match of Group J.

The Albiceleste arrives in the tournament as the reigning world champion after lifting the trophy in Qatar 2022 and with the ambition of achieving a feat reserved for only a select few: becoming one of the rare national teams to win back-to-back World Cups.

However, the opener comes with pressure. Argentine fans vividly remember what happened four years ago when Saudi Arabia stunned the football world by defeating one of the tournament favorites in its first match. That defeat ultimately became a lesson that strengthened the team, but it also left a warning that still resonates today.

Messi Leads a Generation That Continues to Make History

All eyes will once again be on Lionel Messi, who enters another World Cup as captain and the central figure of a generation that has already secured its place among the greatest in Argentine football history.

At 39 years old, the Rosario-born superstar remains decisive and is supported by a squad that retains much of the core that conquered Qatar.

Argentina also arrives in the United States after a dominant South American World Cup qualifying campaign and following its triumph at the 2024 Copa América, achievements that have cemented Scaloni’s project as one of the most successful in recent football history.

Algeria Wants to Become the Tournament’s First Big Surprise

If there is one team entering the World Cup with nothing to lose and everything to gain, it is Algeria. The African side arrives with hopes of replicating unforgettable upsets such as Cameroon’s victory over Argentina in Italy 1990 or Saudi Arabia’s shock result in Qatar 2022.

Algeria features players competing in Europe’s top leagues and possesses enough individual talent to change the course of a match at any moment. Riyad Mahrez remains the team’s leader both on and off the pitch, while Rayan Aït-Nouri is expected to play a key role in their ambitions.

Although Algeria’s recent AFCON 2025 campaign ended below expectations, recent results have shown the team possesses the tools necessary to compete at a high level.

For Algeria, taking points from the defending world champions would provide a massive boost to its hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

A Match That Serves as a Warning for the Defending Champions

The feeling around the Argentine camp is clear: the team learned from past mistakes and understands that no opponent can be underestimated on football’s biggest stage. That mindset will be tested from the very first whistle in Kansas City.

Meanwhile, Algeria will attempt to write one of the stories that make the World Cup so special. The African side knows that memorable upsets are built on discipline, belief, and the ability to seize key moments.

Follow all the action from the FIFA World Cup 2026 on beIN SPORTS.

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