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. Messi, after his first World Cup hat trick, was taken off. 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.
Fernandez shines in midfield
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.
The bottom line
A World Cup debut. Ten minutes on the pitch. Four passes completed. A 3-0 win.
Nico Paz is officially a World Cup player. The Como midfielder came on for the greatest of all time, Lionel Messi after his hat trick.
It wasn’t a spectacular debut. There wasn’t much to do. Argentina had already wrapped up the game.
But the moment itself is what matters. Paz will remember this night forever. And so will the fans who watched him step onto the biggest stage of all.
