Lionel Messi delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group stage match of the World Cup, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career. Messi scored all three goals, recording his first World Cup hat trick and moving into a tie for the tournament’s all-time scoring record with 16 goals, matching Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

The first goal came early in the match following a precise assist from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. Messi doubled the lead soon after the second half began and completed his hat trick just moments before being substituted, receiving a standing ovation from a predominantly pro-Argentina crowd. The timing of his achievement was notable, occurring exactly 20 years after Messi’s World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro, where he also found the net.

In another Group I match at MetLife Stadium, France secured a 3-1 victory over Senegal. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, surpassing Pelé to become the third-highest World Cup goal scorer with 14 goals. The French star had a slow start to the game with just 14 touches in the first half but came alive in the 66th minute. A well-coordinated move involving Jules Kounde and Michael Olise set up Mbappé, who beat Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and finished clinically past goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Substitute Bradley Barcola extended France’s lead two minutes after entering the match, before Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye scored late in stoppage time. Mbappé then capped the match with a spectacular long-range strike just a minute later.

Meanwhile, Norway marked its return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence with a 4-1 win against Iraq at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Erling Haaland notched his first two World Cup goals, scoring Norway’s opening goal off a defensive error and adding another before assisting Leo Ostigard’s third in the 76th minute. This marked the 56th and 57th international goals of Haaland’s career. Norway’s victory signals a strong start to their campaign as they seek to advance beyond the group stage.