India, June 18 -- Mauricio Pochettino lavished praise on Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami star's hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory against Algeria in their FIFA World Cup campaign opener. The Argentina captain was in sizzling form, equaling Miroslav Klose's WC tally of 16 World Cup goals and becoming the joint top goalscorer in the tournament's history with the former German player.

Messi almost scored the first goal in the opening minutes, but it was ruled offside. Then, a few minutes later, Fares Chaibi thought he had given Algeria a shock lead, but it was also ruled offside. Then Messi struck gold in the 17th minute, receiving a sensational through ball from midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.

De Paul slipped in a perfect pass through t...