Argentina failed to win their opening match at each of the last two World Cups — drawing 1-1 with Iceland in 2018 and losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in 2022 — yet reached the final in both tournaments and won the title in 2022.
Argentina3–0Algeria
Stats
Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup on 13 career World Cup goals, three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. Kylian Mbappé starts on 12 goals and needs four to equal the record.
Lionel Messi has scored in six of Argentina's last seven World Cup matches.
Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (4W-2D) and having scored in each of those games.
Argentina have won their last 7 international matches, going 7W-0D-0L with 21 goals scored and 1 conceded.
Match Events
17'Lionel Messi
1–0
60'Lionel Messi
2–0
76'Lionel Messi
3–0
Lineups
Argentina
Algeria
- 23Emiliano Martínez
- 4Gonzalo Montiel↓46'
- 6Lisandro Martínez↓55'
- 13Cristian Romero↓80'
- 25Facundo Medina
- 7Rodrigo De Paul
- 20Alexis Mac Allister
- 24Enzo Fernández
- 10Lionel Messi↓80'
- 16Thiago Almada↓55'
- 22Lautaro Martínez↓55'
- 23Luca Zidane
- 2Aïssa Mandi
- 15Rayan Aït-Nouri
- 17Rafik Belghali
- 21Ramy Bensebaini
- 10Farès Chaïbi
- 14Hicham Boudaoui↓64'
- 19Nabil Bentaleb↓81'
- 22Ibrahim Maza↓82'
- 9Amine Gouiri↓64'
- 11Anis Hadj Moussa↓64'
Substitutes
- 19Nicolás Otamendi↑80'
- 26Nahuel Molina↑46'
- 15Nicolás González↑55'
- 9Julián Alvarez↑55'
- 18Nico Paz↑80'
- 6Ramiz Zerrouki↑82'
- 8Houssem Aouar↑64'
- 7Riyad Mahrez↑64'
- 18Mohamed Amoura↑64'
- 20Adil Boulbina↑81'