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Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass in Kansas City, scoring a brilliant hat‑trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3–0 to begin their World Cup title defence in emphatic fashion. On his record sixth tournament appearance and 200th international match, the 38‑year‑old opened the scoring with a stunning long‑range strike after collecting Rodrigo De Paul’s precise through ball.
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane reached the shot but could not keep it out. Messi remained central to Argentina’s fluid attacking play and struck again on the hour, reacting quickest to sweep home after Zidane spilled an Alexis Mac Allister effort. He completed his treble in the 76th minute, finishing clinically from Nico González’s assist to equal Miroslav Klose’s all‑time World Cup record of sixteen goals.
Algeria threatened briefly before halftime, but Argentina controlled most of the contest. Lionel Scaloni’s side now aim to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
