Argentina Start Title Defense with Win Over Algeria; Messi Scores Hat-Trick
Lionel Messi became the first player to appear in six World Cups and scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener.
Argentina kicked off their World Cup title defense with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J on Tuesday, thanks to a hat-trick from Lionel Messi. The captain scored in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes.
Messi made history by becoming the first footballer to play in six World Cup tournaments. He also equaled Miroslav Klose's record for most goals in World Cup finals with 16. The next highest scorers are Brazil's Ronaldo (15), Germany's Gerd Müller, and France's Kylian Mbappé (both 14). Mbappé scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal in Group I.
In another match, Norway defeated Iraq 4-1. Erling Haaland scored twice (29', 43'), Leo Østigård added one (74'), and Iraqi defender Ayman Hussein scored an own goal in stoppage time. Hussein had earlier equalized for Iraq in the 39th minute.
Argentina will next face Austria and Jordan in Group J. Those two teams play each other early Wednesday morning Latvian time.
This is the first World Cup featuring 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage. The group stage ends on June 27, with knockout matches starting June 28. Semifinals are scheduled for July 14 and 15, the third-place match for July 18, and the final for July 19.
Argentina are the defending champions, having won the 2022 tournament in Qatar by defeating France on penalties.
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