Online Reporter
Lionel Messi saluted a “beautiful moment” after becoming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer in his record-breaking sixth finals appearance on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Argentina captain etched another memorable chapter in his glittering career with a brilliant hat-trick in the South Americans’ 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
Messi’s hat-trick – his first ever in the World Cup – vaulted him alongside Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament’s history with 16 goals.
“To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment,” Inter Miami star Messi said afterwards. “I’m happy.”
Messi’s razor-sharp eye for goal augurs well for Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
“The squad, it’s a very united, very strong group,” Messi said.
“I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game.
“I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this – we packed the stadium again.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni meanwhile said he no longer has “the words to describe Messi.”
“For 20 years, he’s had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play,” Scaloni said of Messi’s performance.
Scaloni is now targeting Argentina’s second Group J game against Austria on Monday as the South Americans look to lock up their place in the knockout rounds.
“We’re going to take it one game at a time. The team is happy; we gave playing time to a lot of players,” Scaloni said.
“Hopefully we can win the next one so everyone can be in the third group stage match.”
Messi produced a majestic finish from distance in the 17th minute, sparking a frenzy among his adoring fans, who had turned the match into a virtual home game.
He netted again in the second half from close range, gobbling up a rebound to take him just one goal behind the all-time record held by Germany’s Klose. And Messi completed his first hat-trick at a World Cup with an unstoppable finish in the 76th minute.
The diminutive genius was substituted shortly afterwards, forcing Argentine fans to wait to see their hero have a shot at the outright record.
MESSI MAGIC
The Group J match in the open-air stadium started at a frantic pace and both sides had early goals ruled out for offside, including one from Messi.
But Argentina took the lead when Rodrigo De Paul played a beautifully measured through ball, which Messi picked up before driving at goal and unleashing a fierce drive from outside the penalty area that curled away from goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
The South American team were largely in control, fluid in attack with their revered number 10 pulling the strings.
But as the clock ticked towards halftime Algeria enjoyed a better spell, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez forced to parry a shot from Fares Chaibi.
Messi curled another effort over the bar in the early minutes of the second half and Zidane kept out a shot from Lautaro Martinez.
But the crowd did not have to wait long to celebrate another goal from the veteran Inter Miami forward.
Zidane failed to deal with a sizzling Alexis Mac Allister strike and Messi was there to sweep home in the 60th minute.
Time stood still six minutes later as Messi was through again but this time Zidane pushed the ball over the bar.
But he was not to be denied, completing his hat-trick after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.
“I don’t have the words to describe Messi,” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni. “For 20 years, he’s had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play.”
Argentina are seeking to become the first back-to-back winners of the World Cup since Brazil managed the feat in 1962 – SuperSport.
