Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick as Argentina rout Algeria 3-0

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, leading holders Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The match was also Messi's 200th international appearance and his record-breaking sixth World Cup.

How many World Cup goals does Messi have after the Algeria match?

Messi now has 16 World Cup goals, level with Germany's Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time scoring charts. His hat-trick against Algeria was the first of his World Cup career. He moved past Gerd Muller, Kylian Mbappe, and Ronaldo on his way to equalling Klose's long-standing record.

How did Messi score his hat-trick against Algeria?

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a curling strike that moved him level with Gerd Muller and Kylian Mbappe on 14 World Cup goals. He then pounced on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot in the 60th minute to reach 15 goals, drawing level with Brazilian great Ronaldo. His third came in the 76th minute, a low finish swept in from the edge of the area to equal Klose's record, before he was substituted to a standing ovation four minutes later.

The 38-year-old had already made history before a ball was kicked, becoming the first man ever to play in six World Cups as he led Argentina onto the field. Messi first appeared at a World Cup as a teenager at the 2006 finals in Germany, and he has now scored at every edition since.

Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Messi was characteristically understated about his achievement. "It's an honour to be there, given what it means to stand alongside Klose or the others," he said. "But I don't think it means anything. In the end, it's just a statistic and nothing more."

Has Messi scored a hat-trick in the World Cup before?

Tuesday's treble against Algeria was the first hat-trick of Messi's World Cup career, spanning six tournaments across 20 years. He scored his first goal at a World Cup in Germany in 2006 and has added to his tally at every edition since, building a record that now stands alongside the greatest individual achievements in the tournament's history.

Argentina, who defeated France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final in Doha after a dramatic 3-3 draw, now have a strong platform to defend their title in Group J. Austria are also in the group, having beaten World Cup debutants Jordan 3-1 in the late game on Tuesday in Santa Clara. Romano Schmid put Austria ahead with a long-range strike before Ali Olwan scored Jordan's first ever World Cup goal to level. An own goal from Yazan al-Arab and a late Marko Arnautovic penalty completed the Austrian win.

What else happened in the World Cup on Tuesday?

France began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to move to 58 international goals and overtake Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading scorer. France coach Didier Deschamps praised Mbappe despite an uneven display, saying he is "an extraordinary player" capable of winning games in a single moment.

Erling Haaland marked his first World Cup appearance with two goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in Group I. The Manchester City striker scored in the 29th minute, was pegged back by an Aymen Hussein header, then restored Norway's lead before half-time with his second. Substitute Leo Ostigard headed in a third, and a Hussein own goal deep in stoppage time completed the scoring. Norway's last World Cup appearance before Tuesday had been in 1998. Haaland's tally now stands at 57 goals in 51 international matches, and coach Stale Solbakken said his striker showed the occasion was never too big for him.