Messi has his first World Cup hat trick as defending champion Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lionel Messi registered his first World Cup hat trick while moving into a tie for first on the tournament's career scoring list Tuesday night, sending defending champion Argentina to a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in its group-stage opener.

Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes on a nice feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second on a rebound early in the second half. Shortly after he got his third on a strike from the top of the penalty box, he subbed out to a standing ovation from a heavily pro-Argentina crowd.

The trio of goals gave him 16 for his career, putting him in a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the career record. They also allowed him to join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to have scored in five World Cups.

“The first matches at the World Cup are always tough,” Messi said after playing in the tournament for a record-setting sixth time, “and we’re seeing that nobody’s giving anything away.”

Well, almost nothing. Algeria made some crucial mistakes on the first two of Messi's goals, which came 20 years to the day that he made his World Cup debut for Argentina in a match against Serbia and Montenegro — he scored in that one, too.

“We're not talking about any old footballer,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “Unfortunately we also afford him the opportunity with the first and second goal, and we actually made it easier for him. But Messi, with his clear thinking in crucial stages of the game, is able to do things that much more easily.”

Messi's brilliant hat trick helped Argentina get off to a much better start than its last World Cup. Four years ago, La Albiceleste were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening match in Qatar, only to rally from there to win their third world title.

“The first match is always tricky,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We had stumbled in the last World Cup and we needed to have a good debut today.”

Messi, who turns 39 next week, nearly had two other goals against Algeria, never once looking like the mild hamstring injury that worried fans in the run-up to the tournament was a problem. One found the back of the net but was called back because he was ever-so-slightly offside, and another strike in the second half just cleared the crossbar.

He was a pest on defense, too, helping Argentina lock down the overmatched Les Fennecs.

“Argentina have a special player who can change a game on his own,” Algeria star Riyad Mahrez said.

Algeria's best chance came in the opening minutes, when Fares Chaibi's would-be goal was taken away by a VAR review that showed he was offside. Messi scored moments later, and the rest of the night belonged to him and Argentina.

“I like playing soccer. It’s been my passion since I was little,” Messi said. “When I’m in good shape, I give it my all.”

The game played at Arrowhead Stadium fulfilled the longtime dream of the late Lamar Hunt, who not only founded the NFL franchise that calls it home, but who was instrumental in the growth of soccer in the U.S. from the 1960s through the early 2000s.

Hunt played a big role in the U.S. hosting the 1994 World Cup. His sons, Clark and Dan, are doing likewise with this edition.

Among those in the crowd on a picture-perfect night in the Heartland were Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who traded in his usual red-and-yellow football uniform for a blue sweatsuit and white shirt, and his wife, Brittany.

Argentina will continue its pursuit of back-to-back titles in Arlington, Texas, when it plays Austria on Monday and Jordan on June 27. Algeria plays Jordan on Monday in Santa Clara, California, before facing Austria in its Group J finale on June 27 in Kansas City.

“The goal,” De Paul said, “is always to arrive on the first day and leave on the last.”

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

General view during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) shoots and scores their third goal against Algeria's Riyad Mahrez (7) and Nabil Bentaleb (19) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Barry Moore won the Republican runoff Tuesday for Alabama's open U.S. Senate seat, advancing to the fall election with the help of President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Moore defeated political newcomer and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson in the contest for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor in November. In the general election, Moore will face attorney Everett Wess, who won the Democratic runoff Tuesday and has focused his campaign on the struggles caused by the rising cost of living.

The Hudson-Moore matchup was another test of Trump’s endorsement powers. Trump’s picks have largely prevailed in Republican primaries this year, although another of his preferred candidates — for Iowa governor — was defeated earlier this month.

“The greatest days of Alabama are ahead of us,” Moore told cheering supporters Tuesday night. He thanked Trump for his support and called him the “greatest president of my lifetime."

Moore said he will work with the White House and other elected leaders to bring jobs to Alabama so "that our kids and grandkids will want to be able to live here and come back to our great state.”

But Moore said it’s important that Republican voters not get complacent in November as Democrats seek to make gains in the state. As they have nationally, Democrats are seeking to tie GOP candidates to soaring gas prices and other costs.

“It’s vitally important that we show up and vote,” Moore said.

Moore is a three-term congressman and a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, He also was an early backer of Trump’s first presidential campaign and Trump returned the support.

“Barry Moore has my complete and total endorsement. He’s the best America First candidate you can imagine,” Trump said shortly before the runoff.

Hudson called Moore Tuesday night to concede and also thanked his supporters, who he said worked “to put Alabama first.”

“Now is the time to come together and make sure the Republican Party delivers for our Christian conservative values,” he said during his election night party.

Highlighting his military background, Hudson had promised to be “a warrior for President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda.”

He also had cast himself as a political outsider, forcing Moore into a competitive runoff in May by attacking the congressman’s longstanding ties to Washington. Hudson also edged out another big-name contender, Attorney General Steve Marshall to reach Tuesday’s runoff.

“If you want the same thing over and over again, elect a career politician. If you want different results, somebody who can take your issues to Washington and not bring the stupidity of Washington back here to you, send a warrior to Washington,” Hudson said during a candidate forum in May.

But Moore had leaned into his Washington record, highlighting Trump's endorsement and his scorecard from a conservative group that ranks members of Congress on their voting records. He said many candidates say they support Trump, but he can prove it.

“Look at my record, the most conservative member in the Alabama delegation, an ally of the president," Moore said. “The president has endorsed me because he’s seen me in the fire. I never bow down.”

Moore's experience was a deciding factor for some voters who cast their ballots for him Tuesday, as a steady rain fell across much of Alabama.

“He’s the best qualified, I can tell you that — no question," said Bob Marshall, 91, who voted for Moore at a Methodist church in Pike Road, a rural-feeling suburb near Montgomery, the state capital.

Hudson has quipped that he doesn't have a legislative scorecard, but has racked up a high score "against the Taliban in over 60 combat operations."

Julian Metheny, who voted for Hudson Tuesday in Shelby County, said he was drawn to the Republican candidate’s service as a Navy SEAL, his Christian messaging and that he was not part of the political system.

“I like the fact that he was willing to put his life on the line for our country,” said Metheny, 70, who is from a family with multiple veterans.

“He’s not playing the game of politics. He’s an outsider,” he said.

On the Democratic side, Wess defeated business owner Dakarai Larriett, the owner of a pet care business.

Republicans currently hold all statewide offices, but Democrats believe frustration with inflation and other issues could give them an opening.

“Families throughout Alabama are struggling with inflation, housing costs, high gas bills, high utility bills and these everyday expenses,” Wess said during an online candidate forum hosted by Birmingham Indivisible.

Wess is the managing partner of The Wess Law Firm and a former municipal judge, city prosecutor and public defender. His legal practice is primarily focused on estate planning and criminal defense.

He has emphasized his legal experience, community positions and experience working within the Democratic Party.

Competitive runoffs for attorney general and lieutenant governor also were on Tuesday's ballot.

For lieutenant governor, former Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl defeated Secretary of State Wes Allen Wahl was supported by Trump and will face Democrat Phillip Ensler in November.

For attorney general, Katherine Robertson, who is chief counsel to the current attorney general, defeated former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell for the Republican nomination. She will face Democrat Jeff McLaughlin in November.

Andrew Sneed defeated Candice Duvieilh in a runoff for the Democratic nomination for the 5th Congressional District. Sneed will face Republican Rep. Dale Strong, who was first elected in 2022.

Alabama will hold a new round of congressional primaries in August after winning permission from the U.S. Supreme Court to switch to a different congressional map favoring Republicans for the midterms.

The state is holding special primaries to decide nominations in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th congressional districts. The new map could give Republicans an opportunity to recapture the 2nd Congressional District in November, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures. It could be important nationally in the battle for control of the narrowly divided chamber.

Alabama is one of several Southern states that quickly redrew their U.S. House maps and eliminated districts held by Black Democrats following a Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act.

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Jared Hudson, right, speaks at his runoff election night watch party alongside his wife, Lauren, and their children Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Supporters gather for Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Barry Moore at a watch party at the Rawls Hotel, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Enterprise, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Jared Hudson visits with the media at his runoff election night watch party, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Dakarai Larriett, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, participates in a candidates forum, April 7, 2026, at Spanish Fort City Hall in Spanish Fort, Ala. (John Sharp/AL.com via AP)

Signage is displayed at Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Jared Hudson's runoff election night watch party, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Barry Moore greets guest at his watch party at the Rawls Hotel, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Enterprise, Ala (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

FILE - This combination of photos shows Republican candidates for U.S. Senate Jared Hudson, left, on May 7, 2026, in Enterprise, Ala., and Rep. Barry Moore, right, on April 17, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo, File)