What Happened
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup victory against Algeria, setting multiple scoring records. With his performance, Messi tied the all-time World Cup goal record. He later commented that the record was "just a number" and "just a statistic."
Messi's hat-trick marked his first in a World Cup match. The victory over Algeria was the defending champion Argentina's opening game of the tournament. The performance was described by some as a "masterclass for the ages."
Key Facts
- 1
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup victory.
- 2
Argentina defeated Algeria in the match.
- 3
Messi tied the all-time World Cup goal record.
- 4
Messi described the record as 'just a number' and 'just a statistic'.
- 5
This was Argentina's opening game of the World Cup.
- 6
This was Messi's first World Cup hat-trick.
