Washington, June 17 -- Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup finals hat-trick as defending champion Argentina eased past Algeria 3-0, while Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland also delivered statement performances as stars lit up the opening round of group-stage action.
At Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday, Messi needed just 17 minutes to open the scoring in Argentina's Group J clash, firing home from long range to put the South American sideahead.
The 38-year-old added his second in the 60th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 76th.
The goal was Messi's 16th at the World Cup, drawing him level with Germany's Miroslav Kloseon the tournament's all-time scoring list and sealing a comfortable victory for Argentina.
In the group's oth...