Key takeaways
- Messi scored all three in Argentina's 3-0 opening win over Algeria — the first hat-trick of the tournament.
- It took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, level with Miroslav Klose's all-time record.
- Argentina, the defending champions, sit top of Group J after the win.
- A statement opener tends to shorten a favourite's price — value hunters should act before, not after.
The defending champions made a statement. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup 2026 opener — the first treble of the tournament, and a night that rewrote a record. Here’s what it means, and how to think about it as a bettor.
This is the news; for the underlying market mechanics see our outright winner odds explainer and the favourites analysis.
What happened
Messi scored all three goals to put Argentina top of Group J. The hat-trick took his career World Cup tally to 16 goals — level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most in the tournament’s history — and made him the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, on a night that also marked a milestone international appearance. For the holders, it was the ideal start.
What it means for the title race
Argentina were already among the favourites, and a 3-0 opener with their talisman firing only strengthens the case. The practical betting takeaway is about timing: a commanding result shortens a favourite’s outright price as the crowd backs the obvious story. If you rated Argentina before the tournament, the value was better then.
Price a team on its real chances — not on its most recent highlight reel.
The betting angles now
- Outright: still possible value if the live price beats Argentina’s true chance — but check the implied probability first using our football betting odds guide.
- Golden Boot: Messi’s three goals vaulted him up the scorer charts. See where the race stands in our Golden Boot race update.
- Matchday markets: Argentina’s group games may now carry short win lines — handicaps and over/under often give a fairer price. Our group-stage strategy covers how to play them.
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Bet it sensibly
A big result is exciting, but excitement makes for sloppy stakes. Convert the live odds to a probability, back Argentina only if the price still beats their true chance, and keep it inside your budget. If betting ever stops being fun, our responsible gambling resources are there to help.
Frequently asked questions
What did Messi do in Argentina's opener?
He scored a hat-trick — all three goals — in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, the first hat-trick of the 2026 World Cup. It also took his World Cup goal tally to 16, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time record.
How does this affect Argentina's odds?
A commanding opening win usually shortens a favourite's outright price as more bettors pile in. If you fancied Argentina, the value was generally better before the result than after it — the lesson for the rest of the tournament is to price a team on its chances, not its last highlight.
Should I back Argentina to win the World Cup now?
Only if the current price still beats their true chance. The defending champions look strong, but a 48-team knockout is high-variance and even a top favourite is far from certain. Convert the live odds to an implied probability before deciding, and keep the stake small.
