Messi hat trick ties World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Algeria

Argentina began their World Cup title defence in nervy fashion, but Lionel Messi reminded the 69,045 at Kansas City Stadium that he is still Lionel Messi. The 38-year-old opened with a stunning rocket and added two more goals as Argentina ran out 3-0 winners over Algeria, moving level with Miroslav Klose on the all-time World Cup goals list with 16, though Klose remains ahead having played fewer matches.

The match was tense early on. An Argentina counter ended with Lautaro Martinez offside in the fifth minute, and Algeria thought they had taken the lead when Farès Chaïbi finished past Emiliano Martinez, only for VAR to rule him offside. After both sides probed for space, Rodrigo De Paul slipped a through ball to Messi, who opened the scoring with a strike into the top-right corner.

The goal was Messi's fifth World Cup with a goal, came on the 20th anniversary of his first in the tournament, and marked the 911th of his career; De Paul and Messi also became the fifth set of MLS teammates to combine for a World Cup goal.

United States, Kansas City

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