Messi hat-trick sinks Algeria as Argentina star equals Klose World Cup record

KANSAS CITY, June 17 — Lionel Messi’s left-footed strike in the 76th minute Tuesday night against Algeria completed a sensational hat trick and boosted the Argentina star to 16 career goals at the World Cup, tying Miroslav Klose's all-time mark.

Messi subbed out of the match four minutes later to a thunderous ovation in Kansas City, Mo., with Argentina ahead 3-0. Another goal in the current World Cup would move him past German icon Klose for the record.

Messi fired a shot from outside the box in the 17th minute that Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane grazed but could not prevent from finding the upper right corner of goal. Argentina's lead doubled in the 60th when Messi tapped in the rebound of a shot by Alexis Mac Allister.

Messi, who turns 39 next week, capped a historic night in which he became the first man to play in six World Cups and the second man to score in five editions of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, the first to score in five World Cups, will debut in his sixth on Wednesday against the Democratic Republic of Congo. — Reuters