Lionel Messi scores hat trick, escapes red card during World Cup match

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup match on June 17, scoring all three goals. The 38-year-old achieved his first World Cup hat trick with goals in the 17th, 60th, and 78th minutes. Controversy arose when Messi did not receive a red card for a foul on Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi in the first half, a challenge many analysts deemed worthy of a red card. Match referee Szymon Marciniak issued only a warning, sparking debate about VAR's role in such decisions. Argentina's next match is against Austria in Dallas on June 20.

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