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The eyes of the world were captivated by the untouchable Lionel Messi as he wrote himself into history with a stunning hat-trick to give Argentina the perfect start to their World Cup title defense with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas.
The game was a display of Messi’s talent on everyone’s favorite stage. Sharp and unflappable, he was a level above every other player on the park. Perhaps, even, above any other class to grace a World Cup final.
His treble ensured he moved level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on the all-time scoring charts with 16 tournament goals, also surpassing Roger Miller’s record to become the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.
The 38-year-old was supported by Enzo Fernandez, Alexis McAllister and club teammate Rodrigo de Paul, but the night was firmly his as he scored a treble of epic proportions in a display that will be discussed for decades. 61st career hat trick.
The first was engineered by De Paul, delivering a cutting through ball into Messi’s pocket and he produced a beautiful strike beyond Luca Zidane – son of France legend Zinedine Zidane.
The second arrived early in the second half, turning away a breakaway effort from McAllister, before a third from the edge of the area, a low, curling strike gave him his crowning moment. He was given a standing ovation moments later from the heavily pro-Argentina crowd. But even those of an Algerian persuasion will be delighted to see the magician up close.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi gestures after scoring the opening goal in the first half of the Group J match.
The goals came 20 years after the number 10 made his World Cup debut for Argentina in matches against Serbia and Montenegro – scoring in both.
Important moments in Kansas City…
Really, there were only three moments to talk. Each is more mega than the last. Inevitably, they were all owned by Messi.
17: Goal! Messi took De Paul’s cutting pass on the half turn and curled a superb strike into the top corner.
60: Goal! No.10 Mack pounced on a parried effort from Allister, steering home with his weaker right foot.
76: Goal! Messi’s hat-trick is complete, reaching the edge of the box to curl expertly inside the post.
