3-0 final
Messi hat-trick
Group J opener
16 World Cup goals
Lionel Messi delivered another major World Cup moment in Argentina's Group J opener against Algeria.
Both teams had early goals ruled out for offside before Messi broke the match open in the 17th minute with a long-range strike to put Argentina 1-0 ahead.
Messi scored again in the 60th minute. It was his 15th World Cup goal, moving him past Kylian Mbappe's mark from earlier in the day and level with Brazil great Ronaldo on the all-time scoring list at that stage.
In the 76th minute, Messi completed his hat-trick with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. The goal brought him to 16 career World Cup goals, level with Miroslav Klose's all-time record.
The match also featured Luca Zidane's World Cup debut in goal for Algeria. The goalkeeper, the second son of Zinedine Zidane, previously developed at Real Madrid before playing in Spain's second tier.
Argentina closed out a 3-0 win to start Group J with three points.