- Lionel Messi equalled the all-time World Cup top goalscorer record, reaching 16 goals, after scoring a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria in Kansas City.
- The 38-year-old's three goals moved him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose, surpassing Brazil's Ronaldo.
- This marked Messi's first World Cup hat-trick and his fifth tournament with a goal, a feat only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Messi scored with a powerful strike, an instinctive rebound, and a trademark sweeping finish from outside the box.
- He was substituted in the 79th minute to a standing ovation, with his next match scheduled against Austria on 22 June in Dallas.
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