Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win against Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose's record of most World Cup goals, reaching a tally of 16.
At the age of 38, Messi had already made history as he became the first player to make six World Cup appearances. But the football legend went even further and had a sparkling performance in title holders Argentina's tournament opener on Tuesday.
Messi found the net in the 17th and in the 60th minutes before scoring the record-equalling goal in the 76th. He benefited from a great build-up and polished it off with a superb left-footed strike.
"I don't have the words to describe Messi. For 20 years, he's had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.
Messi and Klose are tied for the all-time record of 16 goals. Former Brazil striker Ronaldo comes in second with 15.
Earlier, Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal to take his World Cup tally to 14.
The Messi show
The game had some intense first minutes, with Messi having a goal ruled out for offside in the fifth minute. Three minutes later, Fares Chaibi thought he had given the lead to Algeria but his effort was also disallowed.
From then on, it was Messi's show and he eventually got his first in the 17th - and what a stunner that was.
The number 10 collected the ball in midfield, surged towards the area and unleashed a dazzling left-footed strike to beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
The son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane denied Alexis Mac Allister on the hour mark - only for Messi to clean up the rebound and sweep home his 15th World Cup goal.
Mesis's big moment came in the 76th, as he collected Nicolas Gonzalez's pass and fired a low effort into the bottom corner.
Expectations whether he could score a fourth goal and take sole possession of the record were quickly dropped as Messi was subbed off in the 80th.
World champions Argentina's top Group J standings with three points ahead of Austria v Jordan later on Tuesday.
"We're going to take it one game at a time. The team is happy, we gave playing time to a lot of players. Hopefully we can win the next one so everyone can be in the third group stage match," Scaloni said.
It was Messi's 200th appearance for the national team, with which he won the World Cup title in Qatar four years ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo can soon join Messi as a player with six World Cup appearances if he plays for Portugal against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday.
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has also travelled for his sixth World Cup but was only on the bench during his team's 2-0 win over South Africa last week.
Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006 in Germany during Argentina's 6-0 win against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he scored a goal.
