Messi hits hat-trick on sixth World Cup appearance, equals Klose's all-time scoring record
Lionel Messi scored three times against Algeria to reach 16 World Cup goals, matching Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time top scorer, while also becoming the first player to appear at six editions of the finals.
Messi's three-goal statement
Argentina opened their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City, and the night belonged entirely to Lionel Messi. The 38-year-old scored in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes, each goal carrying its own weight of history. The first was a long-range strike after a through-ball from Rodrigo De Paul; the second came from close range after goalkeeper Luca Zidane parried a shot into his path; the third sealed the hat-trick and the record.
I play to leave my mark on the history of my country and to help my team win the World Cup.
The hat-trick was Messi's first in a World Cup match. His tally now stands at 16 goals across 27 finals appearances, level with Germany's Miroslav Klose, who scored his 16 between 2002 and 2014. Brazil's Ronaldo sits third with 15. Argentina's remaining group fixtures against Austria and Jordan offer Messi a clear path to sole possession of the record.
A sixth tournament, a 200th cap
Messi became the first footballer ever to play at six World Cups, a milestone that Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric can also reach during this tournament. The three have been at the top of the game since the 2006 edition in Germany. Tuesday's match was Messi's 200th international appearance for Argentina; he has now scored 120 goals for his country.
- Kick-off: Argentina vs Algeria, Kansas City Stadium
- Both teams have goals ruled out for offside inside eight minutes
- Messi scores 1-0 with a long-range shot, his 14th World Cup goal
- Messi makes it 2-0 from close range after goalkeeper error
- Messi completes hat-trick for 3-0, tying Klose at 16 World Cup goals
- Messi substituted in the 80th minute to a standing ovation
The Arrowhead Stadium, rebranded as Kansas Stadium for the tournament, was a sea of blue and white. Argentine supporters had flooded Kansas City in the days before the match, and the crowd erupted when Messi's early effort was ruled offside, then again when the real opener arrived. He was substituted in the 80th minute to a standing ovation.
Mbappé and Haaland deliver too
Day six was not only about Messi. Kylian Mbappé scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, becoming France's all-time leading scorer with 59 international goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud's 57. Erling Haaland also struck twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1. Both forwards now sit on 14 World Cup goals, alongside Gerd Müller.
I don't think we are fully up to speed yet, but it is always good to start a tournament with a win. That brings some calm, though you are never really relaxed at a World Cup.
We were expected to win and thankfully we did. Everyone in Norway will be happy now. They can celebrate.
Pitch concerns for the final
Complaints about the playing surface at East Rutherford, where the July final will be held, surfaced after France's match. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot described the field as feeling unnatural, closer to artificial turf, hard and lacking give. France coach Didier Deschamps also voiced reservations. The criticism adds a layer of scrutiny to a venue that will host the tournament's decisive match.
