18/06/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JUNE 18, 2026

30

2026 WORLD CUP

Magical night for Messi Leo equals World Cup goals record with hattrick as Argentina snare Desert Foxes

L IONEL MESSI opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hattrick to become the tournament’s joint all-time top scorer yesterday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria. On a magical night at Kansas City’s 69,045 capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying individual display to join Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals. The 38-year-old had started an unforgettable occasion – his 200th international appearance – by claiming a piece of history, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups as he led Argentina onto the field for what would become a one-sided Group J clash.

to-back World Cup titles. “The squad, it’s a very united, very strong group,” he said. “I feel good. We were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game. “I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this – we packed the stadium again.” Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said Messi was still the heartbeat of the team despite his veteran status. “If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” he said. Rodrigo De Paul, who supplied the pass for the first goal yesterday, described the former Barcelona star as “a beast”. – AFP

from the edge of the area before departing to a standing ovation from an adoring crowd four minutes later. Messi later played down the significance of his milestone scoring feat. “It’s an honour to be there, given what it means to stand alongside Klose or the oth ers – Ronaldo is there too – but I don’t think it means anything,” Messi said. “In the end, it’s just a statistic and nothing more.” “To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment,” Inter Miami star Messi added. “I’m happy.” Messi’s razor-sharp eye for goal augurs well for Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back

Messi, who first played in the World Cup as a teenager during the 2006 finals in Germany, then emphatically stamped his class on proceedings with a memorable hat trick – the first of his World Cup career. A 17th minute curling strike took his World Cup goals tally to 14, putting him alongside German legend Gerd Muller and France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the all time rankings. He then moved one clear of Muller and Mbappe to join Brazilian great Ronaldo on 15 goals in the 60th minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0. He joined Germany’s Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low finish

6145/2026

17/06/2026 (WED)

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Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni gives intructions to his players during the 2026 World Cup Group J match against Algeria in Kansas City yesterday. – AFPPIC

Draw Date: 17/06/26 (Wed)

Draw No: 6092/26

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Scaloni waxes lyrical

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first appeared on football’s biggest stage in 2006, did not behave like a superstar in the team camp. “He’s playing with a group of friends, with people that are going to play with their heart for him,” said the Argentina boss. “Whenever they need to have a conversation with him they can just approach him and it’s really hard to explain whatever he conveys. “I could stay here with you for over an hour trying to explain exactly what he does, but you need to be there to really understand. You need to understand the atmos phere, the ambience.” Scaloni praised his whole team for a dominant performance in their opening Group J match at the home of NFL team Kansas City Chiefs. “Whenever you’re in a pickle, it’s your friend, it’s your peer who will help you out,” said the 48-year-old. “We did face difficulties. Luckily, not that many, but whenever we’ve encountered difficulties, there’s somebody there for you. “And if there’s somebody to give you a hand, things are much easier and that will never change.” Argentina, ranked by Fifa as the top team in the world, next face Austria, before rounding off the group stage against Jordan. – AFP

ARGENTINA coach Lionel Scaloni said it was “hard to explain” the genius of Lionel Messi after his superstar equalled the all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups against Algeria yesterday. Messi, 38, reached a number of outlandish landmarks on an unfor gettable evening in Kansas City, appearing in a record sixth World Cup and collecting his 200th inter national cap. He scored two stunning goals either side of a poacher’s effort as the defending champions launched their World Cup bid with a swag gering show of power. Messi’s goals took him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 – and his performance suggested more will come at the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. “About Leo, it’s quite hard to explain,” Scaloni said at his post match press conference. “We are amazed with him still. “Although we get to see him on a daily basis and he’s been the best for 20 years, he still pulls it off every single match. You don’t have to be an Argentina fan to admire what he’s done at age 38.” Scaloni, who masterminded Argentina’s third World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022, said Messi, who

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