arts
Messi has his first World Cup hat trick as defending champion Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in opener
By Dave Skretta | Associated Press at Fort Worth Report
· June 17, 2026
· 4 min read
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
Key takeaway The trio of goals gave him 16 for his career, putting him in a tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the career record.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
For Fort Worth soccer fans, Lionel Messi's historic hat trick is a reminder that the beautiful game has a strong following in the city. With TCU's campus and the Cultural District, there are plenty of gathering spots where fans can watch and discuss international soccer matches. The Fort Worth ISD also has a robust soccer program, with many local high schools fielding competitive teams. As the World Cup continues, local bars and restaurants in Sundance Square and the Stockyards will likely be filled with fans cheering on their favorite teams, including Argentina. The city's diverse population, with a significant Latin American influence, adds to the excitement and passion for the sport. As Messi and Argentina move forward in the tournament, Fort Worth fans will be watching closely, eager to see if they can bring home another championship.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Fort Worth Report . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dave Skretta | Associated Press at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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