Argentina opened their World Cup campaign with a commanding 3‑0 victory over Algeria, a match that will be remembered for Lionel Messi's hat‑trick and his historic milestone.
A Milestone Night for Messi
At 38 years old, Messi became the first player to appear in six World Cup tournaments, and his three goals moved him to 16 career World Cup goals, tying the all‑time record held by Miroslav Klose.
The goals came in the 17th minute with a left‑footed strike, in the 60th minute after a rebound from Luca Zidane's save, and in the 76th minute to equal Klose's mark. A fifth‑minute goal was ruled out for offside, and Algeria's Fares Chaibi also had a strike disallowed.
Coach Scaloni's Praise
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted Messi's consistent excellence, noting that the forward's performance was a testament to his enduring quality on the world stage.
The win placed Argentina at the top of Group J, ahead of the Austria‑Jordan fixture, and gave them early momentum in the tournament. Messi's 200th appearance for the national team was also celebrated, recalling the 2022 championship he helped secure in Qatar.
Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France in a 3‑1 win over Senegal, bringing his World Cup tally to 14, while Cristiano Ronaldo remains second on the all‑time list with 15 goals. The tournament also saw Guillermo Ochoa, the Mexican goalkeeper, make his sixth World Cup appearance as a substitute.
Messi's debut dates back to 2006 in Germany at age 17, and his recent feat underscores a career that continues to rewrite record books.