India, June 17 -- On a day superstars went on a goal scoring spree, Argentinian football maestro Lionel Messi's hat-trick lit up one of this World Cup's most spectacular first round matches.
Hours after France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland led their teams to authentic wins in Group I with two goals each, it was Messi who shined brightest of them all as he inspired defending champions Argentina to a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Algeria with his maiden World Cup hat-trick.
Argentina began their Qatar World Cup campaign with a surprise defeat to Saudi Arabia four years ago. But it was a different story in Kansas City stadium for the defending champions on Tuesday as Lionel Messi polished his reputation as one of the game's...