Reigning champions Argentina started their World Cup campaign in Kansas City with a 3-0 win over Algeria. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and sealed the three points. Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Luca Zidane was at the receiving end.
Nico Paz, formerly of Real Madrid Castilla and the first team, made his World Cup debut in this game. Paz entered the game for the last 10 minutes. Lionel Messi – after his first World Cup hat-trick – was taken off. Nico Paz filled in for the Argentine captain, but his involvement
was minimal.
The Como midfielder completed all four of his passes and won two out of four ground duels. Argentina had wrapped up the game by the time Paz got in. There was not much he could do. At 3-0, it almost became a passing routine for La Albiceleste.
Enzo Fernandez, the other Argentine midfielder frequently linked with Real Madrid, had a better game. No Argentine midfielder had more touches than Fernandez (79), and none of his midfield partners completed more than his 63 passes on the night.
