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00:01Algeria, a dangerous challenger, returning after 12 years outside the World Cup Finals.
00:07Take the field in Kansas City.
00:13And Lionel Messi, appearance number 200 for his country.
00:18And it means that the two defensive midfielders are going to sit in and add that solidity in the middle
00:22of the park
00:23because defensively the two centre-back pairing, they're not that quick.
00:29Lattaro gets the first touch for Argentina, and we're underway in Kansas City, Algeria, and Argentina.
00:54Romero.
00:57Injured at the end of Tottenham's domestic season.
01:00In feature for the last two months.
01:03Able to start.
01:05And the first foul given.
01:09Just narrows the Algerian back four for that reason, for the overlap, doesn't quite work.
01:15But you can see, in terms of that passage of play, that philosophy, the movement inside to open up something
01:21else,
01:21to make Algeria narrow so they can provide the width elsewhere.
01:26Allow Messi to do the spectacular.
01:31Allow Messi to do the spectacular.
01:54He does love to get forward.
01:55He loves to add to the attack.
01:56And he's normally got the pace in the engine to be able to get back.
02:00But there are times where he's going to get caught in the transition.
02:03And it's something that you see Argentina are really focusing on.
02:07And shown it on the screen here in the stadium, the semi-automated offside.
02:12And it is by the slimmest of margins.
02:21Oh, golly.
02:26McAllister.
02:33Pushed into space.
02:35Turn for Montiel.
02:40It's McAllister now.
02:51Montiel.
02:52He said it was dreamlike.
02:53He scored the last penalty, the 2022 World Cup final.
02:59Moment etched in history.
03:02In the Bundesliga this year.
03:05Mazza.
03:07Slips it ahead.
03:09Shay Lee!
03:12And Mazza, Mazza Donner, because of moments like this.
03:17Now, is that offside?
03:19It's tight.
03:20We know it's going to be looked at.
03:22No need to look at the monitor.
03:25Yeah, offers assistance.
03:27And both sides now, by exquisitely small margins, have seen their opening goals wiped away.
03:37I think Sheby's going to be really disappointed with himself.
03:39Because he's got more space than Messi did to hold his run, to look across the line, to just take
03:45half a second to compose himself.
03:52How much does seeing your life flash before your eyes in the first ten minutes change your approach, if at
03:58all?
03:59Yeah, it does.
04:00It certainly sharpens the focus.
04:02All I can say is I'm very pleased that VAR didn't exist when I was playing.
04:12Hernandez into the whip.
04:17Callister.
04:18Fernandez.
04:20That tool could well dominate the game tonight.
04:25Now he got a piece.
04:27Didn't stymie Argentina for the moment.
04:30De Paul.
04:36Sliced away before Messi could collect.
04:41The free kick to Algeria.
04:43Painfully won.
04:47What this does emotionally to Algeria, we see the foul there.
04:51It's the follow through.
04:52It's not the initial contact.
04:53You see the contact there by Fernandez.
04:58But going back to my point with Argentina, they've been and done everything.
05:05They have not been through an experience in world football, which isn't known.
05:10Whereas this Algeria team, slightly different, less experience, especially at a World Cup.
05:14So how do they deal with thinking they've gone 1-0 up?
05:17The celebration, the emotion, and then having to change focus again.
05:22Noury, brilliant touch.
05:25And wins a free kick off Montiel.
05:31Well, you were excited to see it, Noury.
05:33Now I see why.
05:34Yeah, watched him many times in the Premier League.
05:38Less so with Man City.
05:39He's not necessarily a regular starter, but a lot with Wolverhampton Wanderers when they're in the Premier League.
05:45And that's what he gives is exciting.
05:47He's got pace on and off the ball.
05:48He's one of those players that's quite rare in the terms that he's as quick with the ball as he
05:53is without it.
05:54And he loves to commit defenders just like that.
05:59Also, he's got a wicked delivery with that left foot.
06:03Often, Hodge Mousseau will step over and allow Shebe a look.
06:08Such it is here.
06:11Shebe, Hodge Mousseau scored in the pre-tournament friendly.
06:14A winner at his home stadium in the Netherlands.
06:28All right, Noury.
06:33Limited to just 28 games, all competitions for Manchester City.
06:37An ankle injury.
06:39Frequent international duty pulling him away from the Citizens.
06:45Lay on into the corner, DePaul.
06:48There is good news for Argentina.
06:50They will play under a domed roof.
06:53And air conditioning, one would imagine as well, in Dallas.
06:58The next two group stage matches, Austria, then Jordan.
07:04When you and I arrived here a few days ago, it's much more muggy and much warmer, especially in the
07:10afternoon.
07:10The sun going down with the humidity dropping off has made a huge difference.
07:15Messi flying forward.
07:28He makes football look easy.
07:48What an incredible goal from this man.
07:51Should we be surprised after all these years of performing on the world stage?
07:56Absolutely not.
07:58There's nothing that Zidane in goal can do about this.
08:02But it's textbook.
08:03The way that he turns, the pocket that he finds.
08:06I think he had more of 14 goal contributions as well.
08:10Stridingly forward, Argentina.
08:13Whisked centrally toward Latarro.
08:23Messi.
08:27Wadawi.
08:29Serving.
08:32Well, for Shebe.
08:34The angle that that ball comes in.
08:39Maglory.
08:42Trying to slip it through Montiel.
08:44He was wise to it.
08:49Mata hit from behind.
08:51That's a clean challenge.
08:53Hi, Ike Moury.
08:55Mata's thoroughly perplexed.
08:57Algeria continue.
08:59Final minute of first half stoppage time.
09:07Hangling still for space.
09:09Going for goal.
09:10Takes a deflection.
09:11Multiple.
09:12Bounces off Goury.
09:13And into the grateful hands of Martinez.
09:16Great little dancing feet by Moussa.
09:20The body faints.
09:21The drop of the shoulders.
09:22And just to say, because of the deflections when it comes in to go Eerie,
09:27he just can't quite get a handle on the ball.
09:34He did score a goal cutting in just like that against the Netherlands.
09:43The foul from Belgali.
09:49I don't know why I look so perplexed.
09:52It's going to be the final action of the opening half.
10:05First of four group stage games in Kansas City.
10:09First of six matches in totality at the Kansas City Stadium.
10:18As he offers,
10:21Callister was waiting.
10:22And takes us to halftime.
10:24In this 2026 World Cup.
10:27There was a change at halftime.
10:30Ahuel Molina enters.
10:32That's the end of the night for Gonzalo Montiel.
10:38And the countdown is on to the second half of this first group stage game in Group J.
10:44And the first played in Kansas City.
10:51Gouiri takes the first touch for Algeria.
10:54It's Molina, who started it right back.
11:00The majority of the last World Cup in 2022 replaces Gonzalo Montiel.
11:06Algeria unchanged.
11:07The question is how much do they change within the personnel they already have and how long do they go
11:12before they turn to the likes of the great Riyad Mahrez.
11:16There's Mohamed Amora, who had such a tremendous run for qualifying.
11:20Yeah, I think you can't help but think that there'll be 10, 15 minutes where they assess the situation.
11:27Algeria, are they making inroads with the players?
11:30They've gotten the, what I would imagine will be tactical tweaks from the manager.
11:34And if not, that's the moment that you need to start changing personnel.
11:42Greens have scored nearly two and a half goals a game.
11:45Dali.
11:50On the slicing through midfield, Maza.
11:55Grail by Almada.
11:57Also went down, play on.
12:03Alistair.
12:04In and around, Maza again.
12:06He's done so well at negating the threat into him in the first instance.
12:11Can't do it then, McAllister, but does make up for it in terms of his recovery run to make the
12:16challenge.
12:18It's Laurel Martinez.
12:22Squared it halfway by Rodrigo DePaul.
12:26Brilliant assist to Messi in the 17th.
12:30Match made in MLS heaven, it turns out.
12:32Two of the 45 in the league in the United States to feature in this World Cup.
12:40In addition to four more from the second division USL championship.
12:47The running joke, isn't there, that you don't normally see Messi without Rodrigo DePaul.
12:52A sister, bodyguard, to boot.
12:59Messi chips it ahead toward Martinez.
13:02Fernandez was breaking through as well.
13:10Paul said, I'm doing it because I love him.
13:14Here's the shot from effort.
13:16The effort from distance from Messi.
13:18Messi gets Patrick Mahomes up out of his seat.
13:26They do well.
13:28Argentina here to win it back.
13:30For me.
13:32One is disappointing from Messi.
13:35Second of all, the way that that's defended, when he's on the edge of the box there,
13:39Algeria don't get out to him nearly quickly enough.
13:44One is disappointing.
14:01This is the end of the game.
14:03Let's go.
14:04Go.
14:05Let's go.
14:19Zidane, French youth international, Algeria, through his famous father's parents.
14:26The switch in September started at AFCON.
14:35His manager said if I called him up it's because he deserves it, not because of his last name.
14:43He's doing so with a broken jaw.
14:48Difficult position as well at the moment, goalkeeper for Algeria.
14:52Martinez picks his head up, offers into the whip, and Argentina breaking forward with speed.
14:58Little back, Messi pursues, Mundi sweeps it clear.
15:15Big opportunity, wasn't it, for Argentina in the break?
15:19Wrong decisions, wrong time, but back to Zidane there that we saw on the screen.
15:26Three of the Algeria goalkeepers, only got 10 caps between them, he'd make it 11 now tonight.
15:32So, it's a position where they are very much lacking experience.
15:42Loss of Anthony Madrea, changing things for sure, shoulder dislocation in April.
15:48And he'd missed this World Cup.
15:52Algeria, charge across halfway, and bypass Fernandez.
15:58Loss Moussa, they've taken a high-arm play on.
16:06As he trudging into the attacking third, slips it at Martinez.
16:11Martinez, swiped by Zidane.
16:14Fernando Fernandez, with that extra touch, he takes.
16:25Loss of give-and-go, Shevy returns, Moussa, blocked.
16:30At least they need to be, to make inroads into this game,
16:34because it's been a little bit of impetus in the second half,
16:38but nothing much for me has changed.
16:43Messi, in the vacated space.
16:45Two options beginning to percolate the service all the way across.
16:49Never got to Gonzalez.
16:53Brilliant interception by Mondi, it really is.
16:56And you always run the danger in that position that you're going to turn it into your own net,
17:00but he knows that he has to get something on it.
17:04It's a great ball in by DePaul.
17:06You've got the initial touch.
17:08The ball out to him by Messi.
17:11Sublime.
17:18First corner for Argentina tonight.
17:25Messi's eight assisted goals tied with Maradona for the most since 1962 at the World Cup.
17:35Messi, batters around.
17:39Down to Martinez.
17:41He's played more with his feet than his hands tonight.
17:48Drops it on a dime.
17:49Messi flicks it ahead.
17:51Gonzalez chasing.
17:52Swings the cross through over Julian Alvarez.
17:55Look at a deflection high.
17:56From range.
17:57Big deflection!
17:59Going behind!
18:00Gets two for Messi!
18:05The second leading scorer in the history of the World Cup now.
18:10And Argentina's talisman delivers yet again.
18:18Has the right place at the right time for Messi.
18:25Thinks Zidane is going to be disappointed with this though.
18:29Yes, it comes through bodies.
18:31Potentially takes a deflection.
18:33But let's start from the beginning.
18:36Wonderful touch by Messi.
18:38Great ball out from the goalkeeper.
18:40And then it's about this follow-up.
18:42From McAllister.
18:50Service lofted.
18:54Second effort met by Argentina.
19:00Argentina has guided it out.
19:04Reinforcements are ready for Algeria.
19:06But you can't help but think it's maybe.
19:08Too little too late.
19:11Argentina went early.
19:12Made the changes.
19:13Made that decision.
19:15Seems to have paid off.
19:18Algeria that wait.
19:21Certainly seems now to be a bad idea.
19:24Yep.
19:26Rodrigo de Paul.
19:30Those wondering.
19:31No, Messi has never scored a hat trick at the World Cup.
19:38That's the third time he's accumulated a brace in a World Cup match.
19:43Including the final in Qatar in 2022.
19:50A game that still defies all logic.
19:57Level with France after 120.
20:02Well.
20:05Algeria will make a trio of changes now.
20:11As Messi draws within one of Miroslav Klosa.
20:14For the most goals ever scored in this tournament.
20:20Algeria.
20:21Perhaps trying to stem the bleeding.
20:24Perhaps trying to make a late run.
20:26To take something for the match.
20:28A triple change.
20:30The weary comes out.
20:32There's Elmora.
20:34Ten goals in the last six games of World Cup qualifying.
20:37And yes.
20:38Riyad Mahrez.
20:39His first World Cup appearance.
20:42Since the lone appearance in 2014 against Belgium.
20:46Back in 2014.
20:487.
20:48Riyad Mahrez.
20:5114.
20:52Hisham Moulaou.
20:54Replaced by the great.
20:55Ousem Moulaou.
20:57Moulaou.
20:57Moulaou.
20:59Moulaou.
21:10Moulaou.
21:11His goal technical ability.
21:12He's got an eye for goal.
21:14Probably more than anything at this moment.
21:16That I think Algeria would really need.
21:18He'll be that link.
21:19He'll be the ability.
21:20To play forward with quality.
21:22For the like of Amora.
21:23Moulaou.,
21:24Shaby as well. That
21:25I think is so desperately needed right now for Algeria.
21:35Being said, they need to get on the ball first.
21:48See a reason as well.
21:50You can't help but wonder why Moura doesn't start.
21:55As I mentioned, 14 goal contributions in qualifying.
21:58Nobody contributed more in the African qualifying.
22:01Ten of those goals, so it seems like a strange decision not to start him.
22:08All ahead.
22:09Could this be the moment?
22:11Zidane just enough to whisk away Messi's effort toward a hat-trick.
22:18Wow.
22:19The whole stadium held its breath.
22:23Waiting for history.
22:24There's not much that this man hasn't achieved.
22:29World football.
22:31The World Cup hat-trick really would put the cherry on top.
22:44Short to Alvarez.
22:58Short to Alvarez.
23:01Nobody home.
23:02Dipped it past Medina.
23:05Nearly won it back in the counter pressure.
23:07Slides away from Maza.
23:09Algeria.
23:20Algeria dominant against Bolivia.
23:23A late winner against the Netherlands.
23:27Tremendous performance by Zidane in the lead-up to this World Cup.
23:35Facing the brunt now.
23:37The reigning champion.
23:41Off the turn.
23:43Herb Mori.
23:44No further.
23:55Paul sharing a few words.
24:02Fifth appearance for the Algerians.
24:04Did get to the knockout stage.
24:06In Brazil in 2014.
24:10Took Germany to the limit.
24:18The expanded World Cup and the nature of 32 teams reaching the knockout mean for both teams.
24:24And they both made it abundantly clear in the lead-up.
24:28This is not fundamental to qualifying for one team or the other.
24:33And going back to what I said in terms of why not start the lights of Amora.
24:40Is it that their main focus Algeria isn't really on this game.
24:45No, they know they don't live and die by this game.
24:48And is it about where they really put their energies.
24:53And I'm not saying they couldn't come out here and beat Argentina.
24:57As we've mentioned before.
24:58That can happen on a first game.
25:00But sometimes as a manager's players.
25:03You've got to make those decisions on really where to concentrate on your energies.
25:06And maybe it wasn't Argentina tonight.
25:10Service across.
25:12Steered away from the oncoming Mahrez at the back stick.
25:18Mahrez.
25:22Slides it centrally and this shot runs wide of Femi Martinez.
25:31Truly welcome to the United States, Courtney.
25:33Now you've experienced it all.
25:35I've got the full package.
25:37Messi.
25:40Gonzalez.
25:42Back to Messi.
25:43Messi!
25:45Messi!
25:45Messi!
25:48His first World Cup head trick.
25:51And it's a record center.
26:06One of one.
26:08Never to be replicated.
26:11Lionel Messi stands alone in Argentine lore.
26:16And now tied with Miroslav Klose at most goals at the World Cup.
26:20Well it's special.
26:21A special moment for an incredibly special player.
26:28The way that he strokes this home.
26:31Yes he's got power but it's so precise.
26:34This is a passing to the net.
26:37It's wonderful.
26:39It is a moment of history.
26:42And it is another record.
26:45Will he have a goal?
26:54It's Mahrez off the wall.
26:57I just do wonder with this new format as well.
27:01Might they run out of steam?
27:03Might that be a problem for them in the end?
27:06They also start six days later.
27:11If you're going to reach the final,
27:12you may well see a team that's managed all of this seven game stress
27:17in five, six days more than you have.
27:49Well there is a bit of symmetry here.
27:51You'd have to go back to the last time the World Cup was hosted by the United States
27:55in 94.
27:57The last time Argentina so thoroughly won their opening match.
28:024-0 against Greece then.
28:053-0.
28:05Hat tricks in both games.
28:083-0 over Algeria now.
28:10With the waning seconds ticking away tonight.
28:18And now Argentina should be able to salt this away.
28:21And they've managed the game in the last stages.
28:25Really well.
28:27A lot of fans.
28:28Very happy that man there.
28:30Must be extremely happy.
28:33Messi and...
28:34Though it's been great tonight.
28:37With all major tournaments you know it's not how you start.
28:40It's about how you finish.
28:48The entire crowd to their feet.
28:52Martinez sends it away.
28:54Argentina.
28:55And Leo Messi.
29:07prevalence of舞 kenal.
29:08particularly on 11th birthday.
29:18But not for our team.
29:19They're not safe.
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