His first FIFA World Cup hat-trick. A record-equalling 16th World Cup goal. At 38, Lionel Messi continues to redefine greatness, proving once again that age is no barrier to brilliance. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic admitted his side’s mistakes made Lionel Messi’s hat-trick easier in Argentina’s 3-0 FIFA World Cup victory in Kansas City on Tuesday.

Messi, 38, dismantled the North Africans with a record-equalling World Cup treble, and Petkovic said his players afforded the Argentine captain too much space.

“Class is permanent because we’re not talking about any old player here, we’re talking about a footballer who has won the Ballon d’Or seven or eight times,” Petkovic said.

“Unfortunately, we also afforded him an opportunity with the first and second goal. We made it easier for him to score. But Messi, with his clear thinking at crucial stages of the game, can do things much more easily.”

Petkovic also praised the support Messi receives from his teammates.

“He has the privilege that the entire Argentina team works for him and supports him. Argentina had 10 shots today, and seven of those came from Messi.”

Goalkeeper Luca Zidane could have done better with Messi’s opener and spilled another effort that led to the forward’s second goal before the hat-trick was completed with a powerful strike in the 76th minute.

“It’s not my style to blame one player,” Petkovic said. “We made too many mistakes and need to learn from them.”

Algeria next faces Jordan on June 22 before taking on Austria five days later.

Published on Jun 17, 2026