Lionel Messi has tied the World Cup’s all-time goal-scoring record after scoring a hat trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria. Messi, who is appearing in his record sixth World Cup, moves level with German striker Miroslav Klose on 16 goals. The hat trick is Messi’s first at the World Cup and 11th in his international career, with the 38-year-old the oldest player ever to achieve the feat at the Finals. “It's an honor being up there for what it means, being alongside Klose and (Brazil's) Ronaldo, who is there also. But it doesn't mean anything. It's an honor to compete with them, but it doesn't mean anything. For me, Ronaldo, who I watched and is one of the greats, is not at the top. So, it's just stats,” said Messi. Messi opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 17th minute and could be seen crying during the celebrations with his team. “It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days,” said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner after the match. Messi added to his tally in the second half at Kansas City Stadium with a goal on the hour mark, before completing his hat trick 16 minutes later. The victory gives Messi his record-tying 17th World Cup victory and puts Argentina top of Group J on three points.
