Magic Messi bags hat-trick, breaks World Cup record as Argentina rout Algeria

Lionel Messi has done it again.

On a night that further enhanced his legend – if that were possible – Argentina’s skipper opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a stunning hat-trick to become the tournament’s joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria.

On a magical night at Kansas City’s 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying individual display to join Germany’s Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals.

The 38-year-old had started an unforgettable occasion – his 200th international appearance for Argentina – by claiming a piece of history, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups as he led the Albiceleste onto the field for what would become a one-sided Group J clash.

Messi, who first played in the World Cup as a teenager during the 2006 finals in Germany, then emphatically stamped his class over proceedings with a memorable hat-trick – the first of his World Cup career.

The Inter Miami star opened the scoring with 17th-minute curling screamer from the edge of the penalty box, taking his World Cup goals tally to 14.

Messi bagged his second in the 60th minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0.

He joined Germany’s Klose on 16 World Cup goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low powerful finish from the edge of the area, before departing to deafening applause and a standing ovation from an adoring crowd four minutes later.

The performance will fuel hopes among Argentina supporters that the reigning champions can successfully defend the crown they won in Qatar in 2022 and claim a fourth World Cup title.

Even after years of Messi’s magic miracles, the tens of thousands of Argentina fans in the stadium and watching at home could scarcely believe what they were seeing from a player who will turn 39 in eight days’ time.

Scaloni ‘speechless’

«I have no words. Whatever I say is unnecessary, it’s incredible,» said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match.

«He’s been doing it for 20 years,» added the coach, who played alongside Messi at the Germany 2006 finals. «Beyond the result, people have to enjoy him because what he gives to the world is incredible.»

It was an emotional night. Messi himself burst into tears after firing in his first goal in the 17th minute, opening the scoring in what is set to be his final World Cup campaign, one finally free of the pressures and traumas that dogged him before Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.

With the second of the goals he scored past Algeria keeper Luca Zinade – son of the legendary French international Zinedine Zidane – Messi surpassed the tally of 14 goals reached earlier in the day by France’s Kylian Mbappé, who had struck a brace against Senegal in a 3-1 win for Les Bleus.

The Arrowhead Stadium, often dubbed the loudest stadium in the world, erupted again in the 77th minute when Messi completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish from the edge of the area.

It was Messi’s 120th goal for Argentina in 200 appearances. 

Sixth World Cup

The emotion among the sea of Argentina fans in the Kansas City stands was evident from the national anthem, sung at full volume by their captain and the rest of the squad.

Messi’s sixth World Cup adventure began with the opening whistle from Polish referee Szymon Marciniak – the same official who oversaw the final in Qatar – and within four minutes Messi had already found the net.

But the goal, created by a superb assist from Lautaro Martínez, was ruled out for a marginal offside.

Centre-forward Martínez was selected to partner Messi in attack due to Julián Álvarez’s troubles with an ankle problem, though the Atlético Madrid star would come on for Lautaro in the second half.

In the eighth minute, VAR came to Argentina’s rescue by intervening to disallow a goal from Algeria’s Fares Chaibi, who had beaten returning Albiceleste goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez at his near post.

During the VAR review, memories resurfaced of Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the Qatar World Cup.

But the goal was chalked off and the anxiety quickly gave way to euphoria when Rodrigo De Paul threaded a quick pass from the centre circle into Messi’s path between the lines.

The playmaker shifted the ball onto his left foot and, before entering the penalty area, unleashed a fierce strike into the top corner.

Messi broke down in tears as the stadium roared around him. 

The frenetic pace of the contest was interrupted by a drinks break. Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic stuck to his plan, keeping his players deep, pressing little and waiting for opportunities on the counter-attack.

A gift from Zidane

After the interval, Argentina remained in control but a second goal was elusive.

Just after the hour mark, Messi was handed a gift by Zidane, who failed to hold a long-range effort from Mac Allister.

Alert as ever, the skipper reacted quickest to the mistake and tapped in his second goal of the night.

Having levelled his World Cup tally with France’s Kylian Mbappé with his first goal, Messi now matched another footballing great, Brazil’s Ronaldo, on 15 tournament goals, with his second strike.

Only one more was needed to join Klose at the summit, and neither Zidane, who managed to parry one dangerous effort, nor Marciniak, who declined to award a penalty despite appeals, was going to prevent it.

With his final, clinical strike, Messi drew level with the now retired Klose.

He will now have the opportunity to claim the record outright in Argentina’s upcoming Group J matches against Austria and Jordan.

And who would bet against it?

– TIMES/AFP