Argentina have started their World Cup campaign with a win, defeating Algeria 3-0 in a Group J match held in Kansas City.
The hero of the match was captain Lionel Messi, who scored all three goals in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes, leading the defending champions to a perfect start to the tournament.
The match started at a high pace, with two goals disallowed within the first eight minutes. Messi first scored in the 4th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside, while shortly afterwards Fares Chaïbi scored for Algeria, but his goal was also disallowed.
In the 17th minute, Argentina took the lead. Rodrigo De Paul assisted Messi, who entered the area and scored with a precise shot from about 17 meters.
With this goal, his 14th in World Cup history, Messi joined names like Kylian Mbappé and Gerd Müller on the list of the tournament’s all-time top scorers.
In the second half, Argentina sealed the victory. In the 60th minute, after an attempt by Alexis Mac Allister was deflected by goalkeeper Luca Zidane, Messi was first to the ball and sent it into the net for 2-0.
This was his 15th goal in the World Cup, tying him with Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time list of goalscorers.
The hat-trick was completed in the 76th minute, after a combination with Nicolás González, when Messi scored beautifully from the edge of the area for a 3-0 final.
In the 79th minute, coach Lionel Scaloni replaced Messi, while the entire stadium greeted him with applause.
In addition to the victory, Messi also set historical records: he reached 200 appearances for the national team and became the first player to play in six different World Cups.
Argentina thus begins its defense of the world title with complete dominance.
