Algeria manager Petkovic says his team assisted Messi in making World Cup history

Messi tore apart the North African side as Argentina began their title defence with a victory. Petkovic admired the 38-year-old's display but noted that his team allowed Messi too much space to operate.

"Class is permanent, because we are not discussing just any player, we are discussing a footballer who has claimed the Ballon d'Or seven or eight times throughout his career," said Petkovic.

"Unfortunately, we also gave him opportunities with the first and second goals, and we made it simpler for him to find the net," he added.

"However, with his sharp mind at key moments in the match, Messi can accomplish these things far more easily," Petkovic added.

"He has the advantage that the whole Argentina squad plays for him and backs him, and for many years, indeed for decades, he has been performing remarkable feats. Argentina had ten attempts today, and seven of those came from Messi," Petkovic stated.

Algeria's goalkeeper Luca Zidane might have done better to prevent Messi's first goal, and later he fumbled a shot that enabled the Argentine to score his second just after the hour.

Messi finished his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a powerful shot after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.

"It is not my habit to single out individual players, but I believe we committed several too many errors by permitting Argentina's players to take uncontested shots on goal," said Petkovic.

"We can point the finger at ourselves, but we must address this and take lessons from it," he continued.

Petkovic stated that it was crucial for Algeria to recover for their remaining Group J matches, facing Jordan on 22 June and Austria five days afterwards.

"We must not be too disheartened about the three goals we have let in, but we need to be slightly more balanced," he added.

"We need to circulate the ball a bit faster. We will face opponents of a different standard, so our expectations will be different, but we must ensure the squad retains that faith, because we know we can achieve it," Petkovic concluded.