Lionel Messi notched his 10th international hat-trick and contributed two assists as Argentina cruised to a 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. The match, held at the Monumental Stadium, saw an enthusiastic home crowd rally behind their team, celebrating every moment of the Argentine captain’s brilliance.
Returning to the international stage for only the second time since recovering from an injury sustained during the Copa America in July, Messi wasted no time making his mark. He capitalized on a defensive blunder by Bolivia’s Marcelo Suarez to score the opening goal in the 19th minute, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
As the first half progressed, Bolivia’s goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra made several impressive saves, keeping the scoreline manageable. However, Messi’s influence was undeniable. In the 43rd minute, he delivered a swift cross to Lautaro Martinez, who found the back of the net to double Argentina’s lead. Just moments later, Messi assisted Julian Alvarez, ensuring Argentina went into halftime with a comfortable 3-0 advantage.
The second half saw Argentina maintain control, though a goal from Nicolas Otamendi was disallowed for offside. In the 70th minute, substitute Thiago Almada scored with a well-placed shot, extending Argentina’s lead to 4-0 following an assist from Nahuel Molina.
As the match neared its conclusion, Messi added two more goals to his tally. The 37-year-old showcased his exceptional skill by weaving past two defenders before firing a powerful shot past Viscarra. Just two minutes later, he completed his hat-trick with a left-footed drive, bringing his international goal count to 112 and tying him with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football history.
Messi’s Remarks
“I feel the affection of the people, and it moves me how they shout my name,” Messi remarked post-match. He refrained from discussing his future in the 2026 World Cup but expressed his enjoyment of the game, saying, “Despite my age, when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I’m comfortable with this team.”
With this victory, Argentina solidifies its position at the top of the South American World Cup qualifying table, now boasting 22 points after 10 matches. Colombia follows in second place with 19 points after a 4-0 win over Chile. Meanwhile, Bolivia remains hopeful for a World Cup berth with 12 points, seeking qualification for the first time in 30 years. The top six teams in the qualifiers will secure automatic spots in the upcoming World Cup.
As Messi continues to defy age and expectations, fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from the Argentine maestro in the matches ahead.
