Argentina secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C encounter, but the result was overshadowed by Lionel Messi's early withdrawal. The Argentine captain opened the scoring and added a second before limping off in the 65th minute with a suspected hamstring problem. His substitution immediately sparked concern among teammates and supporters alike.

Despite the absence of their talisman, Argentina maintained control and added a third goal to seal the win comfortably. Saudi Arabia struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the match, managing only sporadic attacks that failed to test the Argentine defense. The result leaves Argentina in a strong position heading into their next group fixture at MetLife Stadium.

Medical staff will now monitor Messi's condition closely in the coming days, with his availability for upcoming matches uncertain. The injury concern adds pressure to Argentina's preparations as they aim to build momentum in the tournament. Team officials remain optimistic but acknowledge the need for caution with their star player.

The match highlighted Argentina's depth and resilience, showing they can perform even without Messi on the pitch. Saudi Arabia will need to regroup quickly as they face a challenging path forward in Group C.