Argentina vs Algeria

Argentina started with intensity, but it was Algeria who drew first blood — or so they thought. Farès Chaïbi found the net in the eighth minute, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for offside. The reprieve galvanised the Albiceleste.

Just nine minutes later, Messi produced a moment of pure genius. Picking up a pass from Rodrigo De Paul on the edge of the box, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled a perfect strike into the top corner. The Kansas City crowd erupted. Argentina had their lead, and Messi had his 14th World Cup goal.

Algeria responded well, enjoying 52% possession in the first half and moving the ball crisply through midfield. But Argentina's defence, marshalled by Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero, held firm. The Algerians failed to register a single shot on target across the entire match — a testament to the discipline of Lionel Scaloni's backline.

Scaloni introduced Lautaro Martínez and Thiago Almada at the hour mark, injecting fresh energy into Argentina's attack. The changes paid immediate dividends.

In the 60th minute, Alexis Mac Allister unleashed a speculative effort from distance that Algeria goalkeeper Alexandre Zidane could only parry. Messi, reading the play as only he can, pounced on the rebound and swept the ball into an empty net. 2-0. The game was effectively won.

If the second goal was about opportunism, the third was pure artistry. In the 76th minute, Nicolás González slipped a pass to Messi on the left channel. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took a touch to set himself and unleashed another trademark curler into the far corner. 3-0. Hat-trick completed. History made.

Messi was substituted moments later to a standing ovation, replaced by young midfielder Nico Paz. The Kansas City crowd — heavily draped in Argentina's sky-blue and white — rose as one.

This was Messi's first hat-trick at a World Cup in his sixth appearance at the tournament, making him the first man ever to play at six editions of football's greatest showpiece. His 16 goals span from his first in 2006 against Serbia & Montenegro to this unforgettable night in Missouri.

"It is a dream to break these records, but the most important thing is the team's victory and starting the World Cup well," Messi said after the match, according to reports.

For Algeria, there are positives to take. They moved the ball confidently and created openings, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third proved costly. Riyad Mahrez and Houssem Aouar worked hard but found little change from Argentina's disciplined defensive structure. The introduction of Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj-Moussa added energy but no breakthrough.

Argentina posted an expected goals (xG) total of 1.23 against Algeria's 0.31, reflecting their clinical edge in front of goal. The Albiceleste managed 10 shots, six of which were on target, while Algeria — for all their possession — registered zero shots on target. Emiliano Martínez enjoyed a quiet night between the posts.

Possession was evenly split (48%-52%) with Algeria shading it, and the pass completion rates were near-identical (90% vs 92%). But the scoreline told the only story that mattered.

Argentina's title defence is off to a flawless start. They next face Austria in Dallas on Monday, where Messi will have the chance to take sole possession of the all-time World Cup scoring record. Algeria, meanwhile, meet Jordan at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on the same day, needing a positive result to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.

If this performance is anything to go by, Lionel Scaloni's side have no intention of letting their crown go without a fight. And with Messi in this kind of form, few would bet against them.