What happened: Lionel Messi equaled the all-time World Cup scoring record on Tuesday, netting a hat trick in his 2026 tournament debut against Algeria. The performance at Arrowhead Stadium brought his career total to 16 goals, tying the mark set by Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Why it matters: By matching Klose at 16 goals, Lionel Messi further solidifies his status as the most productive player in the tournament's history. The achievement comes during his record sixth World Cup appearance, highlighting an unprecedented two-decade run at the elite level. He now shares the top spot with Klose, ahead of Brazil’s Ronaldo (15 goals).

What to watch: Messi will look to take sole possession of the all-time record in his next group stage match. Argentina continues its opening round campaign as the soccer world tracks Messi's pursuit of history.