Lionel Messi scores three as Argentina open World Cup campaign with dominant victory.
Image: MSK
Lionel Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their opening World Cup match.
Messi struck first with a curling finish in the first half to set the tone for a one-sided contest.
He added a second after the break from close range before completing his hat-trick late in the game with a composed finish.
The performance underlined his continued influence on the world stage and gave Argentina a strong start to their campaign.
Algeria struggled to contain Argentina’s attack throughout the match as the defending champions controlled possession and tempo.
Messi’s treble marked another milestone in his World Cup career, reinforcing his status among the tournament’s all-time greats.
