MISSOURI: Lionel Messi matched the all-time FIFA World Cup goalscoring record with a superb hat-trick as Argentina began the defence of their title with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old put Argentina ahead in the 17th minute, charging towards goal and firing past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
He doubled the lead in the 60th minute after Zidane failed to hold Alexis Mac Allister’s powerful effort, allowing Messi to react quickest and convert the rebound.
Messi then completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, curling a trademark strike into the net from the edge of the penalty area to mark his 200th senior international appearance in memorable fashion.
It was Messi’s 118th goal for Argentina and his 14th at a World Cup finals. He has now matched Kylian Mbappe and Gerd Muller’s World Cup goal tally of 14, behind only Ronaldo Nazario and Miroslav Klose.
Argentina are bidding to become the third country to successfully defend their World Cup title, after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962.
Having equalled Klose’s record, Messi will have the chance to claim it outright when Argentina face Austria on 22 June.
