Messi ties WC mark as Argentina rout Algeria

Lionel Messi equaled the record for the most FIFA World Cup goals by scoring a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J clash on early Wednesday morning (Finnish time), reported Xinhua. Messi put the reigning champion ahead with a long-range strike in the 17th minute and doubled the lead by tapping in on the hour. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner netted his third goal with a low effort into the bottom-left corner 14 minutes from time to clinch his first World Cup finals hat-trick. Messi now has 16 goals in football's biggest tournament, matching the mark set by Germany's Miroslav Klose at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The 38-year-old, who was making his 200th international appearance, also became the first player to start at six consecutive World Cups. His opening goal on Tuesday came 20 years to the day after he netted his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany. The match started at a hectic pace at Kansas City Stadium as both sides looked to take the initiative. Messi tucked the ball into the back of the net in the sixth minute but the goal was ruled out for offside in the buildup. Algeria was also denied an opener two minutes later when Fares Chaibi's first-time effort was disallowed after the midfielder was deemed to have been in an illegal position. Messi broke the deadlock shortly after, receiving the ball from Rodrigo De Paul in midfield and surging forward before drilling a 20-yard shot beyond Luca Zidane. Chaibi was lively for Algeria and blasted a shot off target, before Anis Hadj Moussa's hurried attempt forced a save from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Argentina settled into the contest as Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada and De Paul began to control the midfield. Lautaro Martinez, who was chosen by manager Lionel Scaloni in the Albiceleste's starting lineup ahead of Julian Alvarez, looked off-key. The Inter Milan striker's best chance of the half came on the half hour when he combined with De Paul on the edge of the box before opting to pass to Mac Allister when a shot on goal appeared the better option. Messi was involved in most of Argentina's attacking forays and he lifted an attempt over in the 36th minute as a second goal beckoned. Argentina continued to apply the pressure after halftime with Martinez drawing a smart save from Zidane after Messi's pass. Algeria's resistance was broken again when Zidane failed to grasp Mac Allister's tame long-range effort and the ball spilled for Messi, who tapped in his 119th international goal. The Inter Miami star was in vintage form and he again unravelled Algeria's defense by holding off Rayan Ait-Nouri and unleashing a 20-yard drive that was tipped over the bar by Zidane. Houssem Aouar provided a rare second-half spark for the African side, shooting just wide from distance. But Messi was irrepressible, claiming his hat-trick with a left-footed finish past Zidane from the edge of the penalty area.