Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick to tie the all-time goals record, leading Argentina to a commanding 3-0 win over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium and sending fans into rapture.
Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick to tie Miroslav Klose’s all-time men’s World Cup goals record, propelling defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium. The Argentine captain’s 38th-minute strike marked his 17th World Cup goal, matching Klose’s tally across four tournaments. Messi added two more in the second half—his first World Cup brace—before being substituted in the 77th minute to a standing ovation from the 76,000-strong crowd.
The win extended Argentina’s unbeaten streak to 33 matches and kept their title defense on track. Algeria, making their second World Cup appearance, offered little resistance against a relentless Argentina. The South Americans controlled possession for 62% of the game and created 19 shots, with Messi’s opener coming from a 22-yard free kick that beat goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba.
Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández added late goals to seal the rout. The match unfolded on a humid September evening in Kansas City, where Messi’s record-equaling goal triggered a pitch invasion by Argentina’s traveling supporters. Fans draped in blue-and-white chanted Messi’s name for minutes, while broadcasters noted the emotional weight of the moment—Klose, watching courtside, later shook Messi’s hand in congratulations.
Messi’s record-tying performance also underscored Argentina’s tactical flexibility under coach Lionel Scaloni. The team’s high-pressing system suffocated Algeria early, forcing turnovers that led to the first goal. Scaloni’s substitution of Messi—despite his milestone—highlighted a deliberate strategy to manage his workload ahead of knockout rounds, a move that paid dividends as substitutes Álvarez and Fernández delivered clean finishes.
The psychological edge gained from this victory cannot be overstated. By equaling Klose’s record in a dominant display, Argentina’s squad now enters the final group-stage match against Poland with momentum and confidence. The contrast with Algeria’s disjointed approach—despite their possession dominance—exposed the gulf between tournament contenders and pretenders, reinforcing Argentina’s status as favorites to repeat as champions.
This wasn’t just a routine group-stage win; it was a statement. Algeria’s high-pressing tactics, often effective in African qualifiers, crumbled under Argentina’s structured counter-press. The Algerians forced errors but lacked the clinical edge to punish them, while Argentina’s midfield trio of Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul controlled tempo and space with surgical precision.
The 62% possession figure flattered Algeria, as their buildup play repeatedly stalled in midfield, turning promising attacks into dead-end crosses. The record tie also reframed the Messi narrative. At 36, he’s no longer chasing immortality—he’s redefining it.
Klose set his record at 36 but retired shortly after; Messi, now in his fourth World Cup cycle, continues to defy age and expectations. His ability to score in every World Cup he’s played—from 2006 to 2022—now spans 16 years, a stretch no other player has matched. The hat trick wasn’t just about goals; it was about legacy, timing, and the relentless refusal to accept decline.
The psychological edge gained from this victory cannot be overstated. By equaling Klose’s record in a dominant display, Argentina’s squad now enters the final group-stage match against Poland with momentum and confidence. The contrast with Algeria’s disjointed approach—despite their possession dominance—exposed the gulf between tournament contenders and pretenders, reinforcing Argentina’s status as favorites to repeat as champions.
What’s next: Argentina faces Poland on September 24 in their final group-stage fixture, a match that could secure top spot in Group C. Messi’s record-tying performance shifts focus to the knockout rounds, where Argentina will aim to become the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962. Read at NewsAPI.org
Messi’s hat trick cements his status as the World Cup’s most prolific scorer and reinforces his claim to the greatest footballer of all time. The record tie comes at a pivotal moment for Argentina, who now carry the psychological advantage into the tournament’s final group stage. Klose’s 16-year-old record stood as a benchmark for elite strikers; Messi’s achievement erases that barrier and sets a new standard for longevity and consistency at the sport’s biggest stage. Argentina’s tactical execution and Messi’s milestone have redefined expectations for what it takes to dominate the modern World Cup, blending individual brilliance with collective precision. The hat trick also underscores the generational shift in football: Messi, now 36, is rewriting records while peers like Cristiano Ronaldo fade from the World Cup stage, making this era uniquely Messi’s.
NewsAPI.orgapnews.comBy Dave SkrettaJun 17, 2:36 PMen
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