Omotayo Fashola
(Lionel Messi celebrates a stunning goal. Photo by Punch News)
Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass in his historic sixth World Cup appearance, netting a hat-trick to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament scoring record as Argentina kicked off their title defense with a resounding 3-0 win over Algeria.
The football icon dazzled at Kansas City’s packed Arrowhead Stadium, where 69,045 fans witnessed his brilliance. With 16 World Cup goals, Messi now shares the top spot with Klose, cementing his legacy further.
Already a record-breaker before stepping onto the pitch—becoming the first player to compete in six World Cups—Messi celebrated his 200th international cap with a vintage display. His hat-trick, the first of his World Cup career, showcased his enduring class.
The Argentine maestro opened the scoring with a sublime curler in the 17th minute, moving level with Gerd Müller and Kylian Mbappé on 14 goals. He then surpassed them both, pouncing on a rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s shot in the 60th minute to match Ronaldo’s 15-goal tally.
Messi wasn’t done yet. A precise low strike from distance in the 76th minute tied Klose’s record before he exited to a roaring ovation, leaving fans in awe of his enduring brilliance.
This victory comes after Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout triumph over France in the 2022 final, where Mbappé’s hat-trick nearly stole the show. Meanwhile, France began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, with Mbappé netting twice to overtake Olivier Giroud as Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer (58 goals).
Didier Deschamps lauded Mbappé’s match-winning ability, emphasizing his knack for decisive moments even on off days. The French star’s brace sets the stage for a potential rematch with Argentina later in the tournament.
Elsewhere, Erling Haaland made his World Cup debut unforgettable, scoring twice as Norway routed Iraq 4-1. The Manchester City striker capitalized on defensive errors, taking his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances.
Substitute Leo Østigård and an own goal from Aymen Hussein sealed Norway’s first World Cup win since 1998. Coach Ståle Solbakken praised Haaland’s seamless transition to the big stage, highlighting his lethal finishing.
In the late fixture, debutants Jordan prepared to face Austria in a crucial Group J encounter.
