Messi Hits 3 Goals for Argentina as Ronaldo Falters in Portugal's 1-1 Draw

Q: As Messi ties the all-time goal record, is Ronaldo's struggle the final chapter of their World Cup rivalry?

Yes. The 2026 World Cup looks like the closing act of Messi and Ronaldo’s World Cup rivalry, even if one last twist remains possible in the knockout rounds. Messi has opened the tournament by strengthening his case in the clearest possible way. His hat trick against Algeria took him to 16 World Cup goals, level with Miroslav Klose for the men’s record, and reinforced that Argentina still runs through him at nearly 39. He is also the first man to appear in six World Cups, a mark Ronaldo quickly matched. But the contrast in impact has been stark. Ronaldo’s start has fueled the sense that time is finally catching up. In Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo DR, the 41-year-old managed only 25 touches and did not put a shot on target. That matters because Portugal no longer needs to be built around him: Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva give them other elite options, and scrutiny over Ronaldo’s starting role has been building since Euro 2024 and even the 2022 World Cup. The broader context points the same way. Both are widely expected to be playing their last World Cup. Their club rivalry effectively faded after leaving Europe, and Ronaldo himself said in 2023 that the rivalry was “over.” Messi already has the World Cup title Ronaldo never won, and now he is adding another major World Cup milestone. So this is likely the final chapter—not because the story lacks drama, but because the balance of it now looks settled unless Portugal and Ronaldo produce one last deep run.

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 18

Lionel Messi opened the 2026 World Cup with a hat trick against Algeria, pushing the nearly 39-year-old into a tie for the men's record for World Cup goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, had the opposite start: Portugal drew Congo DR 1-1, and he managed 25 touches and no shots on target despite playing the full match.
The first round also produced a 4-1 U.S. win over Paraguay and several underdog results, with Cape Verde's draw against Spain standing out as the biggest shock.
Tunisia's 5-1 loss to Sweden brought the tournament's first coaching fallout, costing Sabri Lamouchi his job before Hervé Renard took over.
With all 48 teams now one game in, the opening round has already sharpened the contrast between aging stars still deciding matches and veterans whose roles are under fresh scrutiny.

Sources

USA TODAY19h ago

2026 World Cup First Round: Messi Shines, Ronaldo Struggles

The New York Times7h ago

World Cup Daily Update | Ronaldo Struggles While Kane and Bellingham Shine

MSN19h ago

The brutal stats comparison from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's 2026 World Cup so far

9 Sources

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World Cup 2026 Opening Day: Messi’s Record-Equalling Hat-Trick Headlines Argentina’s Dominance, Ronaldo’s Portugal Falters

Overview

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 17 with a dramatic contrast between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi, at 38, led Argentina to a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria, scoring a historic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record and thrilling fans worldwide. His performance was praised by coach Lionel Scaloni and celebrated in Buenos Aires. In contrast, Ronaldo endured a frustrating match as Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo, failing to score or register a shot on target, which extended his World Cup goal drought. The opening day highlighted the diverging fortunes of these football legends.

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