Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick and equalled the tournament’s scoring record on a night of personal landmarks, as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday.The world’s best player drew level with German striker Miroslav Klose at the top of the goal charts on 16, less than two hours after France’s Kylian Mbappe had overtaken him with a double against Senegal.Brazil’s Ronaldo sits second on the list on 15, with Mbappe and West Germany’s Gerd Muller on 14.Messi’s first set the tone for the evening. A stunning effort from outside the box in the 17th minute found the upper right corner, despite Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane getting a fingertip to the ball.Argentina’s lead doubled on the hour mark when Messi tapped in the rebound of a shot by Alexis Mac Allister, and the little magician wrapped up his night with a left-foot finish in the 76th minute.Messi, who turns 39 next week, capped a historic night in which he won his 200th cap, became the first man to play in six World Cups, and the second to score in five editions of the tournament.
Lionel Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick against Algeria
Argentina’s global superstar scores stunning first as defending champions get tournament off to strong start in Group J.
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