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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick on Tuesday to lead defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 Group J victory over Algeria in Kansas City.
The 38-year-old superstar simultaneously became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments while earning his 200th international cap.
His three-goal masterclass also brings him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time World Cup scoring record at 16 goals.
Messi ignited a frenzy among the packed crowd at the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs by opening the scoring in the 17th minute, curling a fierce strike from outside the penalty area past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
He doubled Argentina’s lead in the 60th minute by latching onto a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot.
The Inter Miami forward completed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute after an assist from substitute Nico González before his coach substituted him to a standing ovation.
The clinical victory smoothly launches Argentina’s campaign to become the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962.
With his appearance, Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa as the only three men to reach 200 international caps.
Ronaldo can match Messi’s six-tournament appearance record when Portugal faces DR Congo on Wednesday.
