Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and equaled Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record as defending champions Argentina opened their title defense with an emphatic victory over Algeria in Group J.

Making his 200th appearance for Argentina, the 38-year-old took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, matching the former Germany striker's mark while also becoming the first player to appear in six editions of the tournament. Messi's three-goal display was also the first World Cup hat-trick of his international career.

Argentina were forced to work hard for the result in Kansas City despite eventually pulling away. Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute after combining with Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul before curling a shot beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France great Zinedine Zidane.

Both teams had goals ruled out in an eventful opening half, and Messi was fortunate to avoid punishment for a reckless challenge on Algeria defender Aissa Mandi. Argentina regained control after the break, with Messi capitalizing on a Zidane error shortly after the hour mark to double the advantage.

He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, firing a powerful shot into the net after taking possession from Nicolas Gonzalez. The victory also marked the first time Argentina had won their opening match at a World Cup as defending champions, having lost their first games in 1982 and 1990.

The Albiceleste are seeking to become only the third nation to successfully defend a World Cup title after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962. After drawing level with Klose atop the tournament's all-time scoring list, Messi will have an opportunity to claim the record outright when Argentina face Austria in their next Group J match.

In other matches of the day, Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France began their quest for a third FIFA World Cup title with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I. Bradley Barcola also found the net for Didier Deschamps' side, while Mbappe moved to 14 World Cup goals in his career, leaving him two shy of all-time leader Miroslav Klose.

Senegal produced the better chances before halftime and nearly grabbed the lead on several occasions. Nicolas Jackson struck the post after breaking free on goal, and Ismaila Sarr missed a clear opportunity in first-half stoppage time. France looked much sharper after the interval, with Michael Olise playing a key role after shifting into a more central position. The Bayern Munich midfielder eventually set up Mbappe, who broke the deadlock with a composed finish in the 66th minute.

Barcola doubled France's advantage late in the match after being released by Adrien Rabiot. Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in stoppage time, but Mbappe had the final say, unleashing a long-range strike moments later to wrap up the victory. The Real Madrid forward also became France's outright leading scorer with 58 international goals and climbed to fourth on the World Cup scoring list, level with Gerd Muller and behind only Ronaldo, Klose and Lionel Messi.

Erling Haaland netted the first World Cup goals of his career as Norway opened its tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq in Boston. The Manchester City striker gave his side the lead in the 29th minute, finishing at the back post after David Moller Wolfe met a pass from Sander Berge and sent a low ball across the face of goal.

Norway, who have returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 continued to create chances afterward, with Haaland setting up Alexander Sorloth for an effort that was blocked and Martin Odegaard sending a shot wide. Iraq, however, responded before halftime when Ali Jasim found Amir Al-Ammari with a clever pass, and Aymen Hussein headed home from Al-Ammari's cross to level the score.

The scores were level for only four minutes as Lions of Mesopotamia goalkeeper Jalal Hassan misjudged a back pass and cleared the ball against 25-year-old Haaland, who was credited with his second goal of the match. Iraq threatened again after the restart, but Leo Ostigard headed in an Odegaard corner in the 76th minute to seal the result. Hassan later denied Haaland a hat-trick, though Norway still added a fourth in stoppage time when Hussein inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

In the final contest of the day, Austria defeated Jordan 3-1.