Online Reporter
Online Reporter
IF you missed the early morning live match between Argentina and Algeria, here are the key highlights:
🔹 Messi’s Key Milestones
· 200th Argentina appearance — a landmark cap for the national team.
· First-ever World Cup hat-trick — achieved in his 6th tournament appearance.
· Record 6 World Cups — first player in history to feature in six editions.
· Oldest World Cup brace-scorer — broke that record with his second goal.
· Tied all-time World Cup scoring record —his 16th goal moved him level with Miroslav Klose.
· 20-year anniversary — exactly two decades since his World Cup debut (vs Serbia & Montenegro in 2006).
🔹 Match Highlights
· Early drama: Messi had a goal ruled offside in the 5th minute; Algeria’s Chaibi also had one chalked off minutes later.
· 17′ – Opener: Messi danced through midfield and smashed a long-range effort into the far corner past Luca Zidane.
· 60′ – Second goal: Pounced on Zidane’s poor save from Mac Allister’s shot, slotting home with his right foot.
· 76′ – Hat-trick goal: Played a one-two with González, cut onto his left foot, and curled it beyond Zidane to complete his treble.
· 79′ – Substituted: Came off to a rapturous ovation, with Argentina cruising 3-0.
derick.khumalo