Lionel Messi turned back the clock once again as defending champions Argentina launched their FIFA World Cup title defence in emphatic fashion, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium on Wednesday.Twenty years after making his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro — a match in which he also scored — the Argentine captain delivered another masterpiece, sending the sea of blue and white inside the Kansas City venue into delirium.As it happened: Argentina vs Algeria, FIFA World CupMessi opened the scoring after being picked out by Rodrigo De Paul, pounced on a rebound to double Argentina’s lead early in the second half and completed his treble with a trademark finish before leaving the field to a standing ovation.The goals took the 38-year-old’s tally to 16 in World Cups, drawing him level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose atop the all-time scoring charts.“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say?” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “He’s incredible.”
Another milestone in a glittering career
The hat-trick was the 61st of Messi’s remarkable career and his 11th for Argentina. It also extended his scoring streak to five consecutive World Cup matches and made him only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to score in five different editions of the tournament.Messi’s appearance against Algeria was the 200th of his international career, two decades after he first pulled on the famous blue-and-white shirt.“It makes me very happy to have lived through everything that came my way. What I’m living through now is the cherry on top,” Messi said. “I’m very happy and grateful for this wonderful group. I enjoy it so much.”There had been concerns surrounding a minor hamstring issue picked up with Inter Miami in the lead-up to the tournament, but the Argentine icon showed no signs of discomfort.“When I’m in good shape, I give it my all,” Messi added.
World champions make a statement
Argentina were far too strong for Algeria and looked every inch a side capable of defending the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago.Algeria thought they had taken an early lead through Fares Chaibi, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside. Moments later, Messi struck, and the world champions never looked back.Solid defensively and fluid in possession, Lionel Scaloni’s men controlled proceedings throughout, with De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez all playing key roles alongside their captain.Messi’s heroics also overshadowed big performances elsewhere on Tuesday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal and Erling Haaland netting a brace in Norway’s 4-1 victory over Iraq.“Messi is a madman,” Haaland wrote on Snapchat.Rodrigo De Paul perhaps summed up the importance of Argentina’s talisman best.“It’s an advantage to have Leo because of how he handles the group and pushes it forward. Because of who he is,” De Paul said. “He doesn’t care about individual records. He prioritises the group, and for us it’s incredible.”With their captain in vintage form, Argentina’s pursuit of back-to-back World Cup crowns could hardly have begun in more convincing fashion.
