Lionel Messi etched his name in World Cup lore Tuesday, netting a hat‑trick as Argentina thumped Algeria 3‑0 at GEHA Field. Fans roared his name. The Argentine captain opened the scoring with a low left‑footed strike, then added two second‑half goals to finish with 16 World Cup goals, tying Miroslav Klose’s all‑time record. This also made Messi the oldest player to score a hat‑trick at the tournament.

His third appearance also marked a milestone: Messi became the first player to feature in six World Cups, surpassing the five‑tournament limit previously shared by Cristiano Ronaldo, several Mexican greats and Lothar Matthäus. The feat arrived as Argentina celebrated their 200th cap for Messi, a career landmark that underscores his durability on the world stage.

Argentina’s clean sweep propels them into Group C with a morale boost ahead of the June 22 clash against Austria in Dallas. The victory also ties Messi with Klose for most World Cup wins at 17, reinforcing his claim as the game’s greatest. The win also eases pressure on coach Scaloni.