Lionel Messi added another extraordinary chapter to his illustrious career, scoring his first World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria and move level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose on the tournament’s all-time scoring charts.The 38-year-old struck once in the first half, added a simple tap-in shortly after the restart and completed his treble in the 76th minute with a trademark finish, sending thousands of Argentina supporters into a frenzy inside the Arrowhead Stadium.It was the 61st hat-trick of Messi’s illustrious career and his 11th for Argentina, but remarkably his first on football’s biggest stage. The treble also extended his scoring streak to five consecutive World Cup matches.
Twenty years after its debut, another milestone
The magical evening came 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany in 2006, a match in which he also found the back of the net.By making his 200th appearance for Argentina, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner became only the second player behind Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo To score in five different editions of the World Cup.More importantly, his hat-trick took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, equaling Klose’s long-standing record. With several matches remaining in Argentina’s title defence, Messi’s prospect of becoming the record holder looks increasingly inevitable.
Mbappe and Haaland stood up.
Messi’s heroics overshadowed impressive performances from two of football’s biggest stars earlier in the day.France forward Kylian Mbappe Scored twice in Les Bleus’ 3-1 victory over Senegal to reach 14 World Cup goals, fourth on West German great Gerd Müller’s all-time list.Norway’s Erling Holland also bagged a brace in his side’s emphatic 4-1 win over Iraq, but the night ultimately belonged to the Argentine icon.
Massey mania takes over Kansas City.
The Argentine’s arrival in Kansas City has sparked a wave of “Messi-mania” and the atmosphere around Arrowhead Stadium reflects the reverence reserved for one of the game’s greatest figures.Thousands of fans wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey turned the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs into a sea of ​​blue and white, paying tribute to their hero from Rosario.
