Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic admitted his side’s mistakes facilitated Lionel Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win at the World Cup in Kansas City on Tuesday.
Messi, 38, defeated the North Africans with a record-equalling World Cup treble, and Petkovic said his players were giving the Argentina captain too much space.
“Class is permanent because we are not talking about an old player, we are talking about a footballer who has won the Ballon d’Or seven or eight times,” Petkovic said.
«Unfortunately, we also gave him a chance with the first and second goals. We made it easier for him to score. But Messi can do things much easier with his clear thinking in crucial phases of the match.»
Petkovic also praised the support Messi receives from his teammates.
«He is privileged to have the entire Argentina team working for him and supporting him. Argentina had ten shots today, and seven of them came from Messi.»
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane could have done better with Messi’s opener, throwing away another effort that led to the striker’s second goal before completing the hat-trick with a powerful strike in the 76th minute.
“It’s not my style to blame one player,” Petkovic said. “We have made too many mistakes and we have to learn from them.”
Algeria will face Jordan on June 22 and take on Austria five days later.
Published on June 17, 2026
