Algeria suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a Messi in sublime form, but were also undone by numerous individual errors and a lack of collective organization.

Despite a cautious but encouraging first half from the Algerians—marked by flashes of brilliance and solid defensive organization—the Fennecs eventually cracked just before halftime.

The inevitable Lionel Messi found the net following a handling error by Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane.

The Greens were swiftly punished with a second goal from Lionel Messi, who capitalized on another blunder from Luca Zidane, as the keeper spilled an Alexis Mac Allister shot right into the Argentine’s path.

Minutes later, the Albiceleste captain completed his hat-trick with his trademark move: a curling shot low inside the post.