Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance for Argentina on Tuesday, scoring a hat-trick in a commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The 37-year-old’s three goals marked his 10th international hat-trick, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in men’s soccer.
“It’s really special to come here and feel the love of the fans. It touches me how they call my name,” Messi said after his standout performance at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
“This keeps me going. Even at my age, when I’m with this team, I feel like a kid again. As long as I’m feeling good and playing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it.”
Alongside his hat-trick, the Inter Miami forward also contributed two assists as Argentina cruised to victory.
Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a defensive mistake, and set up Lautaro Martínez for the team’s second goal in the 43rd minute with a selfless pass.
Before halftime, Messi provided another brilliant assist from a quick free kick, finding Julián Álvarez, who controlled the ball and chipped it over the Bolivian goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Thiago Almada scoring Argentina’s fourth goal in the 69th minute. Messi then capped off the night with two goals in quick succession.
The first was a classic Messi move, dribbling past a defender and slotting a low shot beneath the goalkeeper—a goal reminiscent of his dominant years with Barcelona.
Minutes later, Messi curled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, bringing the score to 6-0.
The Argentina captain, beaming with joy, soaked in the crowd’s chants as they celebrated his brilliance. Messi’s appearance was only his second for Argentina since July, having recovered from an ankle injury.
Despite a recent draw with Venezuela and a loss to Colombia in September, Argentina still tops the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table with 22 points.
Their next match is against Paraguay on November 14.
Source-CNN
