Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose's all-time record for goals at World Cup tournaments when he netted for the 16th time in Argentina's 3-0 opening win over Algeria on Tuesday.
Messi, playing at a record sixth World Cup, netted a spectacular opener from distance in Kansas City, then poked home from close range before completing his first ever World Cup hat-trick. He left the pitch to deafening applause and a standing ovation from an adoring crowd.
The feat puts him two goals clear of German legend Gerd Muller and France superstar Kylian Mbappé in the all-time rankings, and level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals
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The opening game in Group J saw another masterclass from the Argentina captain, who turns 39 later this month and was marking his 200th cap for his country.
His hat-trick came 20 years to the day he made his World Cup debut in a match against Serbia and Montenegro, in which he also scored. It helped Argentina get off to a better start than the last World Cup in Qatar, when they were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening match.
Messi nearly had two other goals against Algeria, never once looking like the mild hamstring injury that worried fans in the run-up to the tournament was a problem. One found the back of the net but was called back because he was ever-so-slightly offside.
He was a pest in defence, too, helping the Albiceleste lock down the overmatched North Africans.
Algeria's best chance came in the opening minutes, when Fares Chaibi's would-be goal was taken away by a VAR review that showed he was also marginally offside. Messi scored moments later, and the rest of the night belonged to him and Argentina.
The defending champions will continue their pursuit of back-to-back World Cup titles in Arlington, Texas, when they play Austria on Monday and Jordan on June 27. Algeria face Jordan on Monday in Santa Clara, California, before taking on Austria in their Group J finale on June 27 back in Kansas City.
Argentina defeated France in an epic 2022 World Cup final in Doha, winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw that saw Les Bleus striker Mbappé score a hat-trick.
France – who could meet Argentina in the final again this year if seedings follow the form book – earlier launched their tournament with a 3-1 defeat of Senegal, with Mbappé scoring twice to suggest he is more than ready to deliver another big World Cup.
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"There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player," France coach Didier Deschamps said of Mbappé. "Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment."
Mbappé's double against the Senegalese also saw him overtake Olivier Giroud as France's leading goalscorer with 58 goals from 99 games.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP, Reuters)
