Argentina 1-0 Algeria LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup: Messi Strikes Early To Get La Albiceleste Ahead

Top stuff at display from Argentina as their movement down the left flank is keeping Algeria on tenterhooks and Messi is in the center of it all with his slick one-touch exchanges.

Lionel Messi now has second-most career goals in the World Cups (15), surpassing Kylian Mbappé and Gerd Müller.

Goaaalll....! Lionel Messi starts his final World Cup campaign with a goal. He collects the ball in midfield and fires a powerful strike from some distance. The fierce brushes the fingertips of the goalkeeper, Luca Zidane before finishing into the top corner of the post. The entire stadium erupts as Messi scores first in his 200th appearance.

That a stunning goal from Algeria but the referee takes VAR and it was offside, denying Algreia the lead. Ibrahim Maza turns brilliantly in mid-field, creates space and passes it to Chaibi, who fires a beautiful curling shot into the near post.

MESSI HAS THE BALL IN THE NET... but it won’t count!

Lautaro does well to shield possession before slipping Messi through inside the box. The Argentine star stays composed, takes a touch, and blasts a left-footed effort into the near post, only for celebrations to be halted as the assistant’s flag goes up. Replays later confirm he was caught offside by the narrowest of margins.

The pre-match formalities are done and dusted and both set of players are in position as the play is about to start. Argentina are in their blue and white jersey while Algeria don their all-green kit. Referee blows the whistle and the defending champions start the proceedings.

Both set of players are on the field as it's time for the national anthems. Argentina's national is anthem is being played out first followed by Algeria's.

Algeria: W-W-D-W-L

Argentina: W-W-W-W-W

ARG Starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

ALG Starting XI: Luca Zidane; Mohamed Farsi Belghali, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Hicham Boudaoui, Ahmed Kendouci Maza, Nabil Bentaleb; Anis Hadj Moussa, Amine Gouiri, Farid El Melali Chaibi

Messi seeks 200th cap if and when he enters the field of action. The Inter Miami ace is nursing an injury and his manager has been skeptical of his inclusion.

“Not only the Argentinian population but everybody — the whole planet — wants to see him play,” ARG coach Lionel Scaloni explained. “Everybody wants to see him on the pitch, because he has an effect not only on Argentina fans but supporters all over the world.”

“There’s nothing negative to say,” Scaloni said. “He’s always been there, and he’s essential for us. He’s going to remain that way.”

• Matches played: 1

• Argentina wins: 1

• Algeria wins: 0

• Draws: 0

• Goals scored by Argentina: 4

• Goals scored by Algeria: 3