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Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria as Argentina emphatically began their title defence on Wednesday morning It was Messi’s first hat-trick in a World Cup game, which took him top of the scoring charts alongside Germany’s Miroslav Klose The former Barcelona captain avoided a red card scare after his challenge on Algeria’s defender Aissa Mandi went unpunished Lionel Messi scored a first-ever hat-trick in a World Cup game to help Argentina kickstart their defence on a high note.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria. Photo by Omar Vega/Tom Weller.
Source: Getty Images Messi, who had to fend off fitness concerns in the buildup to the tournament, was surely in the mood for it, scoring in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes to put Algeria to the sword at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas.
Should Lionel Messi have been sent off vs Algeria? The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner survived a scare in the first half after a dangerous challenge on Aissa Mandi went unpunished.
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Messi appeared to catch the Algerian defender high on the shin, but the referee, Szymon Marciniak, and the VAR let it slide. Marciniak was the referee in charge when Argentina won the final four years ago at France’s expense. He awarded four penalties in that game.
The incident came after the Inter Miami star had fired Argentina in front with a powerful belter from outside the area. The defending champions went into the break with the slender lead.
In the second half, he picked up from where he had left off. His second came after Luca Zidane failed to hold on to Alexis Mac Allister’s shot, with the rebound falling kindly to Messi to score one of the easiest goals of his career.
For the third goal to complete the hat-trick, he set off Nico Gonzalez, who returned the favour with a cutback just outside the area. Unlike the first one, he passed the ball past Zidane to etch his name in history books.
Who has the most World Cup goals in history? With the hat-trick, no player has scored more World Cup goals than him. The goals move him to 16, equalling Miroslav Klose’s record.
Brazil’s Ronaldo is third with 15 goals, while Germany’s Gerd Muller and France’s Kylian Mbappe round the top five with 14 goals apiece. Mbappe scored a brace against Senegal in his opening game.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Algeria. Photo by Tom Weller.
Source: Getty Images What next for Lionel Messi’s Argentina at World Cup 2026? Lionel Scaloni’s side have now coasted to the top of Group J with the win ahead of Austria’s game against Jordan.
They will play Austria next in Texas before concluding their group stage campaign against Jordan at the same venue.
Best-paid coaches at World Cup 2026 In a separate story, we also looked at the best-paid coaches at World Cup 2026.
Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil is by far the best paid, bringing in a wealth of experience.
Argentina’s Scaloni is 14th.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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