Argentina 3-0 Algeria! Messi scores first World Cup hat-trick, setting a record with 16 goals to become joint all-time top scorer

In a key match of the first round of Group J at the World Cup, which concluded on June 17 Beijing time, defending champions Argentina defeated North African powerhouse Algeria 3-0. In the first half, goals from Messi and Chaibi were disallowed, then De Paul assisted Messi to break the deadlock with a spectacular long-range strike. In the second half, Messi scored twice to complete his first hat-trick for the national team, securing the victory for the national team, securing the victory for Argentina and tying the record for the most goals in World Cup history.

Argentina achieved their first opening-match victory in a World Cup for the first time in three editions, having drawn one and lost one in their previous two opening games. On June 23 at 1 a.m. Beijing time, Argentina will face Austria in their second group-stage match.

[Key Moments]

In the 16th minute, De Paul intercepted the ball in midfield and passed to Messi, who drove forward from the center to the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful long-range shot into the net, making it Argentina 1-0 Algeria.

In the 60th minute, Mac Allister's long-range effort was spilled by Luca Zidane, and Messi was quick to pounce on the rebound to score, completing a brace and sealing a 2-0 lead for Argentina.

In the 76th minute, Nicolás González assisted Messi, who slotted home from the edge of the box to complete his hat-trick, securing a 3-0 win for Argentina. Three minutes after the goal, Messi was substituted early to rest, receiving an ovation from everyone in the stadium.

[Record Highlights]

1. Starting the match, Messi reached the milestone of 200 appearances for his national team, becoming the first player to compete in six World Cups.

2. Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick. He is the oldest player to achieve a hat-trick in World Cup history.

3. Messi has scored in five World Cups, becoming the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve this feat.

4. Messi's personal World Cup goal tally has reached 16, surpassing Ronaldo Nazário and Kylian Mbappé, tying him with Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer.

5. At the age of 38 years and 357 days, Messi surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo to become the third oldest goal-scorer in World Cup history.

6. Messi has scored against 11 different teams in the World Cup, becoming the first player in history to do so.

7. Messi is the only player in World Cup history to both score and provide assists in five separate tournaments.

8. With 16 goals and 8 assists, Messi has been involved in 24 World Cup goals, surpassing Pelé and others to top the all-time list.

9. Messi has scored 914 goals in his career, with 120 for the Argentine national team.

10. Messi became the fourth player in Argentina's history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match.

[Match Highlights]

In the 5th minute, Lautaro threaded a through ball to Messi, who slotted home from a tight angle on a one-on-one, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

In the 7th minute, Maza provided a precise through ball, and Chaibi scored with a one-on-one finish, but after a VAR review, it was ruled offside.

In the 31st minute, Messi stepped on an opponent's ankle during a press, and the referee called a foul but did not issue a card.

In the 37th minute, Messi turned past a defender and delivered a through ball, but Lautaro's subsequent cross was too strong, missing a scoring chance.

In the 51st minute, Argentina won the ball high up the pitch, and Messi shot wide after receiving the ball.

In the 53rd minute, Messi played a through ball on the counter-attack, and Lautaro's low shot was saved.

In the 64th minute, Mac Allister played a through ball, and Messi's half-one-on-one shot was saved under pressure.

[Match Statistics]

[Player Ratings]

[Lineups]

Argentina Starting XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: 23-Emiliano Martínez

Defenders: 4-Gonzalo Montiel (46' 26-Nahuel Molina), 13-Cristian Romero (80' 19-Nicolás Otamendi), 6-Lisandro Martínez, 25-Cristian Medina

Midfielders: 7-Rodrigo De Paul, 24-Enzo Fernández, 20-Alexis Mac Allister

Forwards: 10-Lionel Messi (80' 18-Nico Paz), 22-Lautaro Martínez (55' 9-Julián Álvarez), 16-Thiago Almada (55' 15-Nicolás González)

Substitutes Not Used: 1-Juan Musso, 12-Gerónimo Rulli, 2-Marcos Senesi, 3-Nicolás Tagliafico, 5-Leandro Paredes, 8-Valentín Barco, 11-Giovani Lo Celso, 14-Exequiel Palacios, 17-Giuliano Simeone, 21-José López

Algeria Starting XI (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: 23-Luca Zidane

Defenders: 17-Mohamed Belkheir, 21-Ramy Bensebaini, 2-Aïssa Mandi, 15-Rayan Aït-Nouri

Midfielders: 11-Hadi Moussa (64' 7-Riyad Mahrez), 14-Hicham Boudaoui (64' 8-Houssem Aouar), 19-Nabil Bentaleb (82' 6-Ramiz Zerrouki), 10-Fares Chaïbi

Forwards: 9-Amine Gouiri (64' 18-Mohamed El Amoura), 22-Ibrahim Maza (82' 20-Adil Boulbina)

Substitutes Not Used: 1-Melvin Mandrea, 16-Alexandre Oukidja, 3-Kevin Abada, 4-Mustapha Tougai, 5-Zinedine Belaid, 13-Islam Haddam, 26-Youcef Chergui, 24-Yacine Titraoui, 12-Nadir Benbouali, 25-Fares Ghejemissi

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)