Argentina kicked off their World Cup title defence in style with a Lionel Messi-inspired 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time).
Both sides had goals disallowed for offside within the opening 10 minutes, with Messi denied for the reigning champions and Fares Chaibi for Algeria.
However, Messi couldn’t be held back for long, firing a deflected effort beyond Luca Zidane in the 17th minute after receiving an expert Rodrigo De Paul pass on the turn.
La Albiceleste continued to dominate and were finally given breathing space on the hour mark when Messi was quickest to pounce on the rebound as Zidane spilt a long-range effort from Alexis Mac Allister.
And Messi certainly wasn’t done there, clinching his first-ever World Cup hat-trick with a ruthless low finish from the edge of the box in the 76th minute.
Messi still setting the standard
It was a night of big guns at the World Cup, and Messi had plenty to live up to.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland had already announced themselves at the tournament with braces against Senegal and Iraq, respectively.
But anything the young pretenders can do, the old grandmaster can do better, with this turning into a historic night for the greatest of all time.
For the first time in his career, Messi registered a World Cup hat-trick, which is ridiculous to consider, but also an indication of just how difficult that is to achieve. The Inter Miami man is also the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match at 38 years and 357 days old, surpassing the record previously held by Roger Milla (38y, 34d).
Any fears of Messi’s intensity slipping at 38 years old and playing in MLS have been utterly crushed.
Lionel Messi’s shot map vs Algeria
And on the same night that Mbappe moved within two goals of Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goalscoring record, Messi only went and equalled it.
Mbappe and Haaland have already put down their markers, while Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo are yet to begin their tournaments.
However, as has so often been the case down the years, it is Messi setting the standard early in this World Cup with a performance that single-handedly dismantled one of the best sides in Africa.
Algeria disappoint
Algeria simply couldn’t live with Messi, but that really wasn’t the talking point of the night for the North African side.
The most disappointing thing for the Fennecs in Kansas City was just how little they troubled Argentina at the other end, barely laying a glove on the defending champions.
Algeria have been counted by many among that clutch of dark horse teams who could break a few hearts this summer, boasting the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Houssem Aouar and Amine Gouiri in their ranks.
Algeria’s shot map vs Argentina
However, they were a non-event here, attempting just seven shots, none on target, and managing only one accurate cross, despite dominating possession with 52%.
Algeria will, of course, still fancy their chances of taking at least four points from upcoming games against Jordan and Austria.
However, they were predictable and stale here, being utterly swept along in the Messi show.
Read more: