Messi hat-trick equals World Cup record as Argentina open title defence with 3-0 win over Algeria

A night of milestones in Kansas City

Lionel Messi delivered a hat-trick that rewrote the record books as Argentina launched their World Cup title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday. The 38-year-old drew level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals to share the all-time men's World Cup scoring record, became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, and became the first man to compete in six editions of the tournament, all on the night of his 200th international appearance.

The date carried extra weight: it was exactly 20 years since Messi scored his first World Cup goal, coming off the bench against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. Thousands of Argentine fans in the stands wore shirts bearing his name, and many bowed in his direction when he was substituted for Nico Paz in the 80th minute. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was in the crowd and shared a goat emoji and video of the Argentine on social media.

How the goals unfolded

Messi's first arrived in the 17th minute after Rodrigo De Paul slipped a through ball between Algeria's back line. The forward drove forward and unleashed a strike from about 25 yards that glanced off goalkeeper Luca Zidane's fingertips into the top-right corner. His second came on the hour mark when Alexis Mac Allister's low drive from 25 yards was fumbled by Zidane, the ball spilling off his chest for Messi to guide home. The hat-trick was completed in the 76th minute with a blistering strike teed up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.

An early effort in the opening five minutes had been ruled offside, and Algeria's Fares Chaibi also briefly celebrated a goal that was disallowed. Messi nearly added a fourth around the 65th minute but Zidane pushed his shot over the bar. Argentina had 10 shots on the night; seven of them came from Messi, according to Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic.

The coach and teammates react

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is no longer surprised by the "inexplicable" feats of his captain.

What Messi did is difficult to explain. We see him every day and he still surprises. He has been doing it for 20 years, for every single match.

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who set up the first goal, described Messi as an "animal" and told Argentinian broadcaster DSports that the forward is enjoying his football without the weight he carried for so long. Enzo Fernandez, speaking as he stopped for reporters, said simply: "The GOAT is on fire."

Scaloni also cautioned against complacency.

This team knows that anyone can beat us. If you get a little overconfident, any opponent can win. In this World Cup, strange and difficult things are happening.

Algeria's perspective

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic acknowledged Messi's quality but pointed to defensive errors that made the task easier.

Class is permanent, because we're not talking about any old player here, we're talking about a footballer who has won the Ballon d'Or seven or eight times in his career. Unfortunately, we also afforded him an opportunity with the first and second goal, and we made it easier for him to score the goals.

Petkovic said his team must not be too downcast and needs to learn lessons ahead of remaining Group J matches against Jordan on June 22 and Austria five days later. He noted that Algeria must move the ball more quickly and find better balance.

The wider World Cup stage

Earlier on Tuesday, France's Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a 3-1 win over Senegal, moving to 14 World Cup goals, two behind Klose, before Messi surged past him hours later. Erling Haaland also scored twice on his major tournament debut in Norway's 4-1 victory over Iraq. Haaland responded to the Argentina result on social media with a crown emoji and the caption "Messi is a madman." Thomas Muller uploaded an Instagram picture of himself playing against Messi in MLS, also labelling him the GOAT.

Argentina now turn to their next Group J fixture against Austria in Arlington, Texas on June 22. The result means they have avoided the opening-match stumbles that marked their 2018 and 2022 campaigns. They are aiming to become the first men's team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.