Los Angeles: With a stunning 3-0 victory over Algeria, holders Argentina began their pursuit for back-to-back titles, and Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament's joint all-time top scorer.
Messi joined Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers rankings with 16 goals after an incredible individual performance on a spectacular night at Kansas City's 69,045-seat Arrowhead Stadium.
As he led Argentina onto the field for what would turn out to be a one-sided Group J match, the 38-year-old began a historic occasion—his 200th international appearance—by making history by becoming the first man to compete in six World Cups.
Messi, who participated in the World Cup for the first time as a teenager in the 2006 championships in Germany, then decisively dominated the match with his first-ever hat-trick.
With a curling goal in the 17th minute, he increased his World Cup goal total to 14, tying French sensation Kylian Mbappe and German great Gerd Muller in the all-time rankings. Then, in the 60th minute, he pounced on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0, moving one ahead of Muller and Mbappe to match Brazilian legend Ronaldo on 15 goals.
He scored a low strike from the outside of the field to join Germany's Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute. Four minutes later, he left to thunderous cheers and a standing ovation from an enthralled crowd.
In a thrilling 2022 World Cup final in Doha, Argentina defeated France on penalties following a 3-3 draw in which Les Bleus forward Mbappe scored three goals.
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