With a dazzling hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria, the 38-year-old Lionel Messi vindicated coach Lionel Scaloni's assertion that he remains fundamental to the reigning champions.
Exactly 20 years after his first World Cup goal, Messi moved level with Miroslav Klose's 16 goals for a share of the all-time men's scoring record. The performance, on his 200th international appearance, offered a reminder of his resilience after recovering from a muscle strain.
Scaloni had stated Messi was now "even more" important to Argentina, a fact emphatically validated as the veteran imposed his rhythm despite being well beyond his prime European years. The fact this is likely his final World Cup added extra significance for the thousands of Argentine fans who repeatedly bowed in his direction at the Kansas City stadium.