• Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria, equaling the World Cup scoring record.
• This match marked Messi's 200th cap and his first hat-trick in World Cup history.
• Argentina began their title defense with a convincing 3-0 victory.

Lionel Messi's exceptional performance led Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria, during which he scored a memorable hat-trick, equaling the all-time World Cup goal record of 16 held by Miroslav Klose. Messi's first goal came in the 17th minute, with a stunning long-range effort, demonstrating his trademark skill from outside the box, according to Le Monde, Reuters, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.

Messi’s performance is particularly notable as he matches Klose on the all-time World Cup goals list, marking his record sixth World Cup appearance while celebrating his 200th cap. His second goal came in the 60th minute as he tapped in the rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot, with the final goal completed in the 76th minute, further solidifying Argentina’s position in the tournament, as reported by Le Monde, Reuters, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.

Algeria struggled to mount an attack, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez not facing any significant challenges throughout the match. Messi's standout performance ensured that Argentina's title defense began strongly, mitigating any fears of an upset after losing their opening game in the previous World Cup. This match solidified Messi's legacy as one of the greatest players in World Cup history, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.