KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- Lionel Messi made a significant mark in football history on Tuesday night, scoring a hat trick that propelled Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria. With this performance, Messi tied Miroslav Klose's record for the most goals in men's World Cup history, reaching a total of 16 goals.

Historic Milestone for Messi

This hat trick was not only Messi's first at the World Cup but also his 11th for the Argentina national team. At 36 years old, he became the oldest player to score three goals in a single World Cup match. As he exited the field late in the second half, he received a warm ovation from the enthusiastic Argentina supporters at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

In addition to his goal-scoring feat, Messi's appearance in this match marked his 200th cap for Argentina, making him the first player to participate in six World Cups. He surpassed the previous record of five World Cups held by Cristiano Ronaldo, Antonio Carbajal, Andrés Guardado, Rafael Márquez, and Lothar Matthäus. Ronaldo is set to match this record in Portugal's upcoming opener against Congo.

Memorable Performance

Messi opened the scoring for Argentina in the first half with a left-footed shot from just outside the area. He added two more goals in the second half, equaling Klose's record. Remarkably, this match coincided with the 20th anniversary of Messi's World Cup debut, where he also found the net against Serbia and Montenegro. With this achievement, he became only the second player to score in five different World Cups.

Argentina's victory also tied Messi with Klose for the most World Cup wins, both now having 17 victories. This match marked the fifth consecutive World Cup game in which Messi has scored.

Fan Support and Upcoming Matches

Argentina is currently based in the Kansas City area, where Messi's popularity has captivated fans. On match day, thousands donned his No. 10 jersey as they made their way to the stadium, singing praises to their hero. A humorous moment during a downtown watch party featured a goat in an Argentina jersey, accompanied by former NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, which seemed to foreshadow Messi's impressive performance.

As the debate over Messi's status as soccer's greatest of all time continues, his hat trick only strengthens his case. Argentina's next challenge will be against Austria in Dallas on June 22, followed by a group stage match against Jordan.