Argentina vs Algeria

In a night that will live long in football memory, Lionel Messi scored his first ever World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The goals — in the 17th minute, shortly after half-time, and late in the second half — took Messi level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, making him joint all-time top scorer. He left the pitch in the 80th minute to a standing ovation from the Kansas City crowd. Algeria, despite a spirited defensive display, could not contain the Argentine captain on his finest World Cup night. Messi has now scored in four consecutive World Cup tournaments. With Argentina expected to top Group J, all eyes turn to whether he can break Klose's record outright against Austria.