Football sensation Lionel Messi scored a majestic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record aged 38, firing up Argentina’s title defence with a 3-0 Group J win against Algeria.
The opening game in Group J at Kansas City Stadium saw another masterclass from the Argentina captain, who turns 39 later this month and was marking his 200th cap for his country. He became the first player to compete at six World Cups.
Messi scored what they thought was the opener after five minutes, but it was chalked off for offside. However, he netted his first in the 17th minute when he collected a brilliant through ball from Rodrigo De Paul and finished brilliantly.
Messi then struck his second in the 60th minute when Alexis Mac Allister fired a low drive from 25 yards that Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane (son of France great Zinedine Zidane), fumbled.
The ball spilled awkwardly off his chest and dropping invitingly for Messi, who guided it into the net. 2-0!
Messi almost completed his hat-trick about five minutes later, but Zidane leapt to push his shot over the bar.
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However, the Argentine talisman found the net again in the 76th minute with another blistering strike, teed up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.
Messi drew level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 goals in total and became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick — exactly 20 years to the day since his first goal at the global tournament.
Argentina are aiming to become the first men’s team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
Questions lingered Argentina’s credentials this year. However, those doubts were swept aside as the holders delivered a composed and authoritative performance that signalled they will again be a formidable force.
“What makes the difference is they have a player who doesn’t forgive,” Algerian defender Aissa Mandi said of Messi. “Almost every chance ends up in the back of the net.
“He’s a player, maybe the best player of all time, so that’s his efficiency, and it’s formidable. We knew it, we tried to limit him as much as possible, but it didn’t work.”
Argentina play Austria on Monday in Arlington, Texas, while Algeria face Jordan the same day in Santa Clara, California.
Latest World Cup results
Iraq 1=4 Norway
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan/
