Messi hat trick lifts Argentina past Algeria 3-0 at World Cup
What's new: Messi drew level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals and reached the mark on his 200th cap.
Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as Argentina opened its World Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. Messi struck in the 17th minute, added a close-range finish in the 60th and completed his treble in the 76th before coming off minutes later. The result gave Argentina a comfortable start in Group J and pushed Messi level with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the tournament record with 16 goals. The Inter Miami playmaker also reached the milestone on his 200th cap. Algeria had an early goal by Farès Chaïbi ruled out for offside, while Messi also saw an early finish disallowed. Rodrigo De Paul set up the first goal and Alexis Mac Allister's long-range effort led to the second.