Lionel Messi matches all-time World Cup goal tally with triple strike as Argentina claims victory

Lionel Messi made history on Tuesday, scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, to become the joint all-time top scorer in the World Cup with 16 goals, alongside Miroslav Klose.

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This achievement came on a remarkable night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where a crowd of 69,045 witnessed Messi's electrifying performance, marking his 200th international appearance.

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Messi, at 38 years old, became the first player to participate in six World Cups, leading Argentina onto the field for their one-sided Group J clash against Algeria.

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His memorable hat-trick, the first of his World Cup career, began with a 17th-minute curling strike, taking his World Cup goals tally to 14, and putting him alongside Gerd Muller and Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings.

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In the 60th minute, Messi scored his second goal, pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot, to move one clear of Muller and Mbappe, and join Brazilian great Ronaldo on 15 goals.

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He then joined Germany's Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low finish from the edge of the area, before departing to a standing ovation from the crowd four minutes later.

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Argentina's victory comes after their epic 2022 World Cup final win against France, which they won on penalties after a 3-3 draw, with Mbappe scoring a hat-trick.

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France, who could potentially meet Argentina in the final again, launched their tournament with a 3-1 defeat of Senegal, with Mbappe scoring twice, suggesting he is ready to deliver another strong World Cup performance.

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France coach Didier Deschamps praised Mbappe, saying he is an extraordinary player who can win games in one moment, despite some criticism, and that not everything came off for him in the match.

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Mbappe's double against Senegal saw him overtake Olivier Giroud as France's leading goalscorer, with 58 goals from 99 games, a record-breaking achievement that Deschamps was pleased to see happen at the World Cup.

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Erling Haaland, another potent scorer, marked his first World Cup finals appearance with two goals in Norway's 4-1 romp against Iraq in Group I.

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Haaland pounced from close range on 29 minutes, and after Iraq equalized, he capitalized on a defensive error to put Norway ahead again before half-time, taking his international goals tally to 57 in just 51 matches.

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Norway coach Stale Solbakken was satisfied with Haaland's performance, saying he adapted to the occasion and that the occasion wasn't too big for him, and that he had a good feeling before the game that Haaland would deliver.

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In the late game on Tuesday, World Cup debutants Jordan faced Austria in Santa Clara, California, in Group J.