Messi Equals World Cup Goals Record As Argentina Beat Algeria

Argentine forward Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a 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.

Messi delivered an electrifying individual display on a magical night at Kansas City’s 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium to join 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 — by making history, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups as he led Argentina 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 on proceedings with a memorable hat-trick — the first of his World Cup career.

A 17th-minute curling strike took his World Cup goals tally to 14, putting him alongside German legend Gerd Muller and France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings.

He then moved one clear of Muller and Mbappe to join Brazilian great Ronaldo on 15 goals in the 60th minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0.

He went equal with Germany’s Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low finish from the edge of the area before departing to a standing ovation from an adoring crowd four minutes later.

Messi later played down the significance of his milestone scoring feat.

“It’s an honor to be there, given what it means to stand alongside Klose or the others — Ronaldo is there too — but I don’t think it means anything. In the end, it’s just a statistic and nothing more,” Messi said.

Argentina defeated France in an epic 2022 World Cup final in Doha, winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw that saw Les Bleus striker Mbappe score a hat-trick.

AFP