Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in World Cup clash as Messi nets hat-trick
The Mt Kenya Times 
By Norman Mwale
“When Leo is inspired like this, the whole team rises. Three goals, three moments of genius.”
Argentina produced a masterclass in efficiency and control, defeating Algeria 3-0 in a pivotal World Cup group-stage encounter that was defined by Lionel Messi’s virtuoso hat-trick. The Albiceleste were dominant from the outset at Lusail Stadium, with Messi finding the net in the 23rd, 57th and 81st minutes to seal a victory that strengthens Argentina’s push for the knockout rounds and reaffirms their credentials as genuine contenders.
The opening period was tense as Algeria sat deep and looked to hit on the break, but Argentina’s patience paid off midway through the first half. In the 23rd minute Messi drifted inside from the right, exchanged passes with Rodrigo De Paul, and curled a precise left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi to break the deadlock. The stadium erupted as the 37-year-old celebrated his 100th international goal, a milestone that felt inevitable yet no less special for the supporters who had travelled thousands of miles to witness it.
Algeria emerged after the break with greater intent, but Argentina struck again in the 57th minute to extinguish any hope of a comeback. A swift move involving Ángel Di María and Julián Álvarez carved open the Algerian defence, and when the ball broke loose on the edge of the area Messi was first to react, guiding a composed finish into the bottom corner for his second. The third and final blow arrived in the 81st minute. Messi stepped over a free-kick 22 metres from goal, and with characteristic precision bent the ball over the wall and into the top corner, leaving M’Bolhi rooted as the Argentine bench exploded in celebration.
“Leo today was from another planet,” said Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni after the final whistle. “We prepare tactics, we work on patterns, but when you have the best player in history playing like this, he makes the difficult look simple. Three goals, three different ways to score, and all of them decisive. The team worked for him, and he delivered for us.”
Messi was typically understated in victory, turning the praise back to his teammates. “I am pleased with the goals, but I am more pleased with the way we played,” he said. “Algeria are organised and dangerous on the counter, so we knew we had to be patient and clinical. The first goal gave us calm, the second gave us control, and the third allowed us to enjoy the final minutes. This is for the people back home.”
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi acknowledged the gulf in quality on the night but insisted his side would learn from the experience. “We faced a Messi who decided the match by himself,” Belmadi said. “When one player scores three goals against you at this level, it tells you everything about his quality. We must accept the result, analyse our mistakes, and come back stronger. The tournament does not stop for anyone.”
Midfielder De Paul, who assisted the opener and covered every blade of grass for 90 minutes, described the performance as “complete”. “Playing with Leo when he is like this is a privilege,” De Paul said. “You give him the ball and you expect magic. But this was a team effort. We defended together, we moved the ball together, and we sent a message tonight.”
The 3-0 scoreline reflected Argentina’s dominance, as they finished with 61 per cent possession, 16 shots and a defensive display that restricted Algeria to speculative efforts. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was rarely tested, and centre-backs Nicolás Otamendi and Cristian Romero ensured the clean sheet that Scaloni had demanded.
For Argentina, the result builds momentum and belief, with Messi’s hat-trick lifting him further up the World Cup all-time scoring list and reigniting hopes of a third world title. For Algeria, the defeat is a stern reminder of the margins at this level, but with fixtures remaining, Belmadi’s side will seek to respond and restore pride.
As the Lusail crowd chanted Messi’s name long after the whistle, the message was clear: on this night, Argentina moved forward with a 37-year-old genius reminding the world why he remains the heartbeat of this team.
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