What happened: Lionel Messi has carried his form into the World Cup, powering Argentina with the kind of production that has defined his stint playing in the United States. His recent output includes a hat-trick in Argentina's World Cup opener against Algeria, the latest in a string of decisive performances.

Why it matters: The stakes are simple for a defending pedigree like Argentina: Messi's scoring keeps them on track in the knockout race. His tournament surge has also pushed him up the all-time list, underscoring how much his late-career production still matters on the biggest stage.

What to watch: Watch Argentina's next fixture to see whether Messi sustains the scoring pace that has carried them so far.