Lionel Messi in motion for Argentina towards Bolivia© AFP
Lionel Messi produced a shocking efficiency to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational document as Argentina thrashed Bolivia within the South American qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Messi scored 3 objectives and offered 2 assists to go away each followers and specialists impressed as Argentina dominated proceedings on the iconic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. This was Messi’s tenth worldwide hat-trick – the joint most on the planet together with Ronaldo. The hat-trick additionally took the footballer’s tally to 112 worldwide objectives as Argentina continued their unbeaten run within the World Cup qualifiers.
The 37-year-old offered an emphatic reminder of his enduring high quality with three scientific finishes, two assists and a few of his trademark creativity all through the sport as Lionel Scaloni’s facet dominated.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring within the nineteenth minute when Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez was robbed by Lautaro Martinez, who despatched Messi clear and he cleverly slotted into the underside nook.
The residence crowd at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium have been on their ft once more within the forty third minute when Julian Alvarez threaded a superb move by way of to Messi, who unselfishly squared the ball to Martinez to complete.
Three minutes later, Alvarez was on the right track himself when Bolivia have been caught sleeping at a free-kick, Messi chipping the ball excessive and the Atletico Madrid ahead slotted residence.
After the break, Nicolas Otamendi had a header dominated out for offside however the residence followers did not have lengthy to attend for the fourth when Thiago Almada side-footed residence after an outstanding pull-back from Nahuel Molina
A traditional Messi aim made it 5-0 within the 84th — the Inter Miami ahead dribbling centrally earlier than switching from his left foot to his proper and burying the ball into the underside nook.
Two minutes later and a few followers have been in tears after Messi reduce in from the suitable, performed a sensible wall move off substitute Nico Paz and once more put the ball past the attain of goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.
Argentina are high of the 10-team desk with 22 factors from ten video games — three factors away from second-place Colombia, who crushed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla.
(With AFP inputs)
