Lionel Messi dazzled by scoring a hat-trick and also equalled the all-time World Cup scoring record, as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 Group J win over Algeria on Tuesday.
Messi at 38 proved his critics wrong by drawing level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 goals and became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
The Argentine captain, who will turn 39 later this month, was playing his 200th international match. He also made history by becoming the first player to appear in six World Cups and the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the tournament.
Messi thought he had given Argentina the perfect start when he scored within the first five minutes, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
With thousands of Argentina fans in the stands wearing his jersey, it seemed only a matter of time before Messi made his mark. He opened the scoring in the 17th minute after receiving a superb pass from Rodrigo De Paul. Messi drove forward and fired a powerful shot from around 25 yards out. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, got a touch on the ball but could not stop it from flying into the top corner.
Messi scored again in the 60th minute. Alexis Mac Allister’s long-range shot was badly mishandled by Zidane, and the loose ball fell perfectly for Messi, who calmly finished into the net.
Speaking about Messi, Mac Allister said, “There are no words to describe him. If anyone thought this team was better without Leo, today showed that he is our most important player. We need to build the team around him and make sure he feels comfortable.”
Messi nearly completed his hat-trick a few minutes later, but Zidane made a fine save. However, Messi finally got his third goal in the 76th minute with another powerful strike after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.
Algeria also had an early goal ruled out for offside when Fares Chaibi found the net shortly after Messi’s disallowed effort.
There was some controversy in the first half when Algeria appealed for a red card after Messi stepped on Mandi’s calf, but the referee took no action.
Argentina are hoping to become the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup title.
Argentina will face Austria on Monday in Arlington, Texas, while Algeria will take on Jordan on the same day in Santa Clara, California.
