Live updates: Argentina vs Algeria

Live updates: Argentina vs Algeria

By Andrew McGarry

FT: Messi hat-trick helps Argentina start title defence with a win.

By Pokuah Frimpong

90 + 4' Players just waiting for final whistle now

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Argentina don't seem to have any intent of pushing for a fourth. Happily playing the ball between each other and just waiting for the final whistle.

90' 6 minutes added on

P By Pokuah Frimpong

81' More substitutions for Algeria

P By Pokuah Frimpong

On:

Nabil Bentaleb, Ramis Zerrouki

Off:

Adil Boulbina, Ibrahim Maza

80' Messi done for the night

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Three goals in 80 minutes … a good day at work for Messi.

On;

Nico Paz, Nicolas Otamendi

Off:

Lionel Messi, Cristian Romero

76' MESSI HAT-TRICK!!!!

P By Pokuah Frimpong

It just had to be Lionel Messi … he is just that guy.

A goal that shows all his class.

He starts the buildup, passes it out to Nico Gonzalez, who immediately plays it back to a waiting Messi.

He shuffles to his left and BANG!! Into the net for his first World Cup hat-trick and now level with Miroslav Klose on 16 for the most goals at the World Cup finals.

73' Messi brought down in the box

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Shouts from the Argentinians and the crowd as Lionel Messi looked like he was taken down in the box.

Not to be, though, the referee waves the shouts away, and VAR agrees with the decision.

69' Second hydration break

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Despite a strong start to the second half, Algeria has really fallen away. Argentina's midfield is dominating proceedings, and that second goal really makes it feel like the three points are in the bag for Argentina.

65' Messi searching for his hat-trick

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Messi wanders into the box with a defender on his hip, looks certain to get his third, but the outstretched arm of Zidane once again comes to Algeria's rescue.

64' Algeria subs

P By Pokuah Frimpong

On:

Riyad Mahrez, Houssem Aouar, Mohamed Amoura

Off:

Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Hicham Boudaoui

60' MESSI AGAIN!!!

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Lionel Messi gets his second and some breathing room for Argentina.

Alexis Mac Allister's initial long-range effort is saved by Zidane, but he palms it right into a waiting Messi, who calmly slots it in for his second of the night.

55' More substitutions for Argentina.

P By Pokuah Frimpong

ON:

Nico Gonzalez , Julian Alvarez.

OFF:

Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martinez

54' Zidane denies Argentina a second

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Lautaro Martínez gets his shot away inside the box, but a diving save from Luca Zidane denies Argentina a second goal and some breathing room in the game.

50' Messi off target

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Messi is simply finding too much space on the edge of Algeria's box, the second time in this half.

This time, his effort is well off target; Algeria can't keep allowing him that much space, or he will make them pay.

48' Messi brought down

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Hicham Boudaoui's challenge arrives late and takes out Messi.

All smiles from Messi and Boudaoui as play restarts.

45' Argentina subs

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Off:

Gonzalo Montiel

On:

Nahuel Molina

Second half kicks off

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Algeria gets us underway for the second half

Messi becomes 2nd player to score in five World Cups

P By Pokuah Frimpong

Lionel Messi became the second player to score in five World Cups, giving defending champion Argentina an early 1-0 lead over Algeria on Tuesday night, local time.

Making his record sixth appearance in the tournament, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner found a crease in the Algerian defence and easily beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane for his 14th World Cup goal, sending a blue-and-white-clad crowd packed inside Kansas City Stadium into delirium.

Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal as the only players with goals in five World Cups. Ronaldo became the first in 2022 and is set to play in his sixth World Cup on Wednesday, local time.

Miroslav Klose of Germany holds the record for World Cup goals with 16, one ahead of Brazil great Ronaldo. Messi’s latest highlight pulled him into a tie for third on the career list with Kylian Mbappé — who scored two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal earlier Tuesday — and Gerd Müller of West Germany.

AP