A brilliant start to this match saw two goals ruled out for offside in the opening eight minutes. Lionel Messi, the first player to appear at six WCs, looked to have given Argentina a dream start with a strike that is typical of him, before Fares Chaibi’s low drive beat Emi Martínez at his near post, only to see Algeria’s wild celebrations quickly cut short.
Messi wouldn’t be denied, however. Rodrigo De Paul’s slide-rule assist saw La Pulga drive at the heart of the opposition defence before unleashing a venomous left-footed drive into the top corner to hand the reigning champions the lead in the 17th minute.
The breakthrough allowed La Albiceleste to knock the ball around confidently, with Algeria’s Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa forced to chase shadows for long periods.
With Alexis Mac Allister and De Paul helping Argentina to a collective 68% possession leading into half-time, it was to Algeria’s great credit that they were able to stop the reigning champions from increasing their lead.
They might even have got back on level terms before the break had one of Chaibi’s three half-chances found the net.
A positive start to the second half from both sides was in keeping with what had gone before, and Lautaro Martinez brought the best out of Luca Zidane as Argentina threatened once again. When the keeper then spilt Mac Allister’s long-range effort on the hour, Messi was there to gobble up the chance with a simple right-foot finish.
Zidane denied the No.10 his hat-trick just a few minutes later with a superb one-handed save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
With 15 minutes to play, a swift Argentina break was given the ending it deserved when Messi did get his third with a low drive from the edge of the area, a goal that brought him level with Miroslav Klose as the WC’s all-time joint-highest goalscorer (16).
Riyad Mahrez’s late free-kick going straight into the wall rather summed up Algeria’s night, and the result means Argentina have won 14 of their last 16 matches in all competitions. It gives the reigning champions a great platform for the defence of their title.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s poor WC record, which has seen them win just one game at the tournament in 10 matches since 1982, continues.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lionel Messi (Argentina)