🤝 Messi joins Ronaldo's table with opening goal vs Algeria | OneFootball

On a day where Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland starred for France and Norway, the 2026 World Cup would not be complete without a magical moment from Lionel Messi.

And he certainly delivered.

The diminutive Argentine legend, who officially made his 200th appearance for La Albiceleste in what is the sixth World Cup of his career, is now up and running on the scoresheet in what is likely to be his final tournament appearance.

Earlier, Messi had a 5th-minute opener denied by offside, only for Algeria to suffer the same fate just minutes later.

But Messi was not to be denied in Kansas City, picking up the ball in space before firing home a trademark, long-range hit to beat Luca Zidane to make it 1-0 before the first hydration break to become the third-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history behind Cameroon legend Roger Milla, and Portuguese great Pepe.

With that, Messi (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) now joins rival Cristiano Ronaldo (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) at an exclusive table, sitting together as the only two players to score in five different World Cups.

And with Ronaldo set for his first tournament appearance tomorrow against DR Congo, we could be in line for one final goalscoring showdown before the iconic pair call time on their international careers.

📸 ROBERTO SCHMIDT - AFP or licensors