Argentina 3-0 Algeria
90' - Six minutes of additional time to be played at the end of the regulation 90.
Is there time for one more goal?
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
85' - Algeria attempting to play keep ball now, not really to try and move forward and get a goal but more so to ensure their goal difference doesn't take an even bigger battering.
Argentina are happy to let them move the ball around in their own half as they conserve their energy.
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
81' Messi is withdrawn just moments after netting his third goal of the night to huge acclaim.
Every fan inside the stadium, even those of an Algerian persuasion, are up on their feet.
This has been truly sensational.
Nico Paz replaces the great man with Nicolas Otamendi also takign to the field at the expense of Cristian Romero.
LIONEL MESSI HAS A HAT-TRICK AT THE WORLD CUP.
Goodness me, this man continues to marvel.
There's great and there is Messi - we have never seen anybody quite like him.
The 38-year-old pulls the trigger with that magic left wand of his and whips the ball into the bottom corner from 12-yards.
Goal number 16 at a World Cup - nobody on earth has ever scored more goals in this competition than the Argentinean.
There is a wry smile on his face as he turns to the South American fans to celebrate this landmark moment - even he can't believe what is happening here.
This is magic and what an honour to be watching this live and reporting on it.
Truly incredible!
Argentina 2-0 Algeria
70' - Rehydration break number two is currently taking place with 20 minutes of play remaining.
I've been hugely impressed by Argentina this evening - they have the target on their back after reigning supreme four years ago, but they look like they are relishing the chance to go back-to-back.
Messi has been a delight to watch, and for those wondering what his price is to grab a hat-trick, well we currently have him up at 4/1
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
66' - Lionel Messi has never scored a World Cup hat-trick and will he get a better chance to break that duck, I'm not sure!
The striker is freed on goal by a delightful pass from Alexis Mac Allister, but surprisingly fails to convert as Zidane makes a smart save to his right to deny him.
Messi pounds the ground in frustration as he knows that was an opportunity he would usually gobble up.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
64' - A trio of changes for Algeria as they bring on their big guns having opted for a more defensive and disciplined starting line-up.
Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura and Houssem Aouar replace Anis Hadj Moussa, Amine Gouiri and Hichem Boudaoui.
Can they inspire the Africans to an unlikely comeback?
Lionel Messi is the chief in Kansas City - he is the main man for Argentina once more!
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland kicked off their campaigns with braces earlier on, and Messi has followed suit with a classy brace of his own.
The Inter Miami man has hinted that this will be his last World Cup and my word, he is making a mark.
Goal number 15 in World Cups and just one shy of Miroslav Klose's record - the 38-year-old reacts quickest to meet the ball after Luca Zidane spilled it, and he made no mistake in dispaching from six-yards.
Two goals for the great man and surely, three points in the bag.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
56' - A couple of more changes for Argentina as Scaloni calls time upon the outings of Lautaro Martinez and Thiago Almade, with Julian Alvarez and Nico Gonzalez their replacements.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
51' - Lionel Messi again weaves and dances his way past a couple of Algerian defenders, and tries an almost replica of the strike that broke the deadlock midway through the first-half.
This time however, the South American isn't quite as tuned-in as he was earlier this morning, lashing his effort over the bar, much to the delight of the thankful Luca Zidane.
It's as you were for Algeria as we get the second half underway, although Argentina have made one alteration to their side.
On comes Nahuel Molina to replace Gonzalo Montiel.
Match statistics for you to dissect at the break.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
So, Argentina are ahead at the break thanks to who else but Lionel Messi.
The evergreen frontman produced a moment of sheer magic to break the deadlock midway through the first-half, letting rip a thunderous strike from 25-yards which flew past Luca Zidane in the Algeria goal.
Both sides had chances to break the deadlock during a frenzied opening 10 minutes in which both saw efforts chalked off for offside.
Argentina probably deserve their lead but the African representatives have had their moments, and will take heart from that as they regroup at the interval ready for the second 45.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
44' - Another half opportunity for Algeria, this time it's Chaibi who does so well to out-muscle and out-manouevre Fernandez, but opts to test his luck from 25-yards - to no avail - as opposed to freeing Gouiri through the middle.
Algeria won't want the half to end as they are currently enjoying by far their most productive spell of the game.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
41' - A first save of any real note for Emi Martinez who is forced down to deal with Anis Hadj-Moussa's cross-cum-shot.
It was never likely to squeeze past the Aston Villa stopper, but there are a few signs that the tide could be turning here.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
39' Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez makes a couple of crucial interventions in as many minutes as Algeria finally enjoy a period of pressure.
Little comes of it, largely down to the aggressive defensive nature of Martinez, but still, a little bit of hope for the African side who are trying to forge an avenue back into the contest.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
35' - Alexis Mac Allister caught with a nasty tackle just inside the Algeria half, but the referee opts not to dish out a first yellow card of the night.
The Liverpool man certainly felt the force of that one, but he's thankfully up and running without any lasting damage.
Algeria starting to show signs of frustration though as Lionel Scaloni's men play keep-ball.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
31' - We're back underway after both managers give their sides some tactical advice on the touchline.
A dream start to the campaign for Argentina who have looked assured and shown some beautiful intricate build-up play during the opening 30 minutes.
They look really comfortable out there at the minute.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
25' - Here we go, the now customary three-minute drinks break.
Why they need three minutes and why managers are allowed to tinker with things I have no idea.
Not quite sure what it offers to the game, and many others feel the same way too.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
24' Argentina retaining possession of the ball as they find their groove following Messi's sublime opener.
Algeria had done so well up until that moment, flexing their muscle going forward and looking relatively assured at the back.
There is still plenty of time remaining here, but the Africans will know the importance of not falling further behind.
