Lionel Messi opened the scoring against Algeria in Argentina’s debut in the 2026 World Cup with a great goal from outside the area that hit the corner of the goal he defends Luca Zidane. Szymon Marciniakthe referee of the match, saw it from a privileged perspective and the video recorded thanks to the new FIFA regulations went viral on social networks.
The play by the Argentine team that led to the goal originated in the midfield after a control of Rodrigo DePaulwho leaked the pass that Messi received. The captain received the ball left-footed, turned around and faced the Algerian area.
With the ball dominated, the Argentine star advanced towards the crescent of the area while the Algerian defense tried to reposition itself and recover its marks, but Those meters of advantage were enough for Messi to emerge and execute a saber blow that went into the left corner of the goal defended by Zidane..
In the run-up to the World Cup, FIFA implemented the use of body cameras in the main referees for the World Cup matches officially. The device is mounted at ear height and is designed with the aim of making decisions transparent, sanctioning unsportsmanlike conduct and improving the entertainment experience of spectators.
As if that were not enough, the person in charge of recording Messi’s great goal against Algeria was Szymon Marciniak: the Polish referee who directed the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup where Argentina was crowned champion after beating France on penalties.
Another colorful fact that emerged from the national team’s first goal in the 2026 World Cup was that the person in charge of defending the Algerian goal is Luca Zidane, son of the French idol. Zinedine Zidane. Born in France, Luca trained as a goalkeeper in the Real Madrid youth teams and currently plays for Granada in Spain. At the international level, He decided to represent the Algerian team due to his family roots.
In their first match in this World Cup, Argentina went into halftime with a 1-0 lead thanks to Lionel Messi’s goal in the 16th minute. After a dynamic start, the team Lionel Scaloni He found greater control from the opening of the scoring and handled the ball patiently. Algeria had some approaches, including an action voided by offside. Later, the captain of the national team would increase the score with two more of his goals, sealing the final 3-0.
With his hat-trick against Algeria, Lionel Messi added another chapter to an incomparable career. Exactly 20 years after his first goal in the World Cup, he scored again to open the scoring against Algeria; He reached 914 points as a professional already 120 with the Argentine national team shirt, in addition to accumulating 61 assists.
The captain is playing his 200th game for Argentina and became the first footballer in history to play in six World Cups. Besides, He reached 16 goals in World Cups and equaled the German’s mark Miroslav Klose.
