Lionel Scaloni's side gave Argentina the calm start a defending champion wants. Messi took all three goals in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes, pushing his career World Cup total to 16 and leaving him level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the men's all-time World Cup scoring list. The win also brought three points and a clean sheet.
Argentina Lead World Cup in Passing Under Pressure
After the first round of fixtures, Argentina sit at the top of one telling World Cup category. Data shared on social media shows how cleanly they have moved the ball even when opponents try to close them down.
Argentina have completed 89 percent of their passes under high-intensity pressure at this FIFA World Cup, the highest accuracy of any team.
That figure points to the composure that has defined Argentina under Scaloni. They are not only keeping possession when the game slows down; they are still finding teammates when pressure arrives quickly.
For a team built around Messi's moments but protected by structure behind him, that passing security matters. Argentina can absorb pressure, play through crowded spaces, and still move the ball into areas where Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and the rest of the attack can take over.
Messi's Hat-Trick and Argentina's Opening Statement
Messi's finishing gave Argentina the margin against Algeria, but the team's control under pressure helped keep the match from turning chaotic. At 39, Messi is still shaping World Cup games, and the performance underlined how Argentina can win in more than one way.
One match does not define a title defense, but Argentina's first showing looked calm, clinical, and difficult to disrupt. They have the star power to decide games and the passing security to stop opponents from dragging them off their rhythm.
