Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history after scoring a brilliant hat-trick to help Argentina begin their World Cup campaign with a commanding victory over Algeria.

The Argentine captain, making his landmark 200th appearance for the national team, delivered a masterclass performance that saw him draw level with the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. His three goals lifted his tournament tally to 16, matching the long-standing record held by German icon Miroslav Klose.

Argentina, the defending champions, entered the match determined to avoid the opening-game disappointments that plagued previous title defences. Despite facing a spirited Algerian side, they ultimately produced a convincing display to kick off their quest for consecutive World Cup crowns.

Messi broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a trademark curling effort after linking up with Rodrigo De Paul. The goal capped an eventful start to the match, which saw both teams have efforts ruled out during an intense opening spell.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continued to influence proceedings throughout the contest and doubled Argentina’s advantage shortly after the hour mark, capitalising on a costly mistake from goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

He completed his historic hat-trick in the 76th minute, firing home from outside the box after winning possession and driving toward goal, sealing an unforgettable night for the veteran playmaker.

The performance also marked another milestone for Messi, who became the first footballer ever to appear in six FIFA World Cups.

Argentina’s victory provides the perfect platform for the remainder of their Group J campaign, with fixtures against Austria and Jordan still to come. For Messi, meanwhile, the evening will be remembered as another chapter in an extraordinary international career that continues to break records and redefine longevity at the highest level.