Extraordinary Messi makes more history in masterclass for the ages

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, 'Magnificent' - Messi scores hat-trick to equal Klose scoring record By Elizabeth Conway World Cup reporter , At Kansas City Stadium Published 1 hour ago It was a day for football's biggest names. But even amid so much star quality, Lionel Messi still took top billing. Hours after France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland had lit up the World Cup with two goals each, the stage was set. But this was no supporting act, this was the main show. The Messi show. His first World Cup hat-trick, a record-equalling 16th World Cup goal, and another reminder that despite his age, he isn't going away. As the sun dipped behind the Kansas City skyline, the 38-year-old became the first player in history to feature at six World Cups - beating rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a day. Twenty years ago to the day after his World Cup debut as an 18-year-old at Germany 2006, one of the game's greatest superstars looked as sharp as ever in delivering another spectacular performance on his 200th appearance for his country. Afterwards, he said: "To enjoy this with my family, with my team-mates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment. "The squad, it's a very united, very strong group. I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It's important to start off with a win in the first game. "I'm grateful to the fans, because once again they've shown that Argentina is crazy about this - we packed the stadium again." What information do we collect from this quiz? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi is the first player to play at six World Cups 'Messi is celebrating like it's his first World Cup goal' There was an early glimpse of what was to come. Four minutes in, Messi raced clear and put the ball past Algeria's keeper, Luca Zidane, only for the offside flag to prevent what would have been a fairytale start. Fans celebrated as if they had won the World Cup. Journalists turned to each other with a look of the inevitable. It was happening. This was just a delay. There were a few moments of concern when Messi's studs caught the top of Aissa Mandi's heel but, no action was taken, and the Argentine took full advantage. By the 18th minute, Messi's moment arrived. Twenty-five yards out, he shifted on to his left foot and curled a superb effort towards the top-right corner. Goalkeeper Zidane - son of France legend Zinedine - got both hands to it, but the strike had too much power. Kansas City Stadium exploded with noise as Argentina fans celebrated Messi's 14th World Cup goal. It was the start of a historic evening. As former Everton midfielder Leon Osman observed: "Messi is celebrating like it's his first World Cup goal. With the ability he has, he never seems to age. It's a brilliant ball into his feet and, as you'd expect, he finishes it superbly." Two decades on from his first appearance on this stage, and now in a reco