Lionel Messi delivered a classic performance with a hat trick, leading world champions Argentina to a commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old showcased his lasting brilliance with three sharp goals, two assists, and his signature creativity, as Lionel Scaloni’s team controlled the match from start to finish.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner struck first in the 19th minute after Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez lost possession to Lautaro Martinez, who set Messi up to calmly finish into the bottom corner.
The crowd at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium erupted again in the 43rd minute when Julian Alvarez delivered a brilliant pass to Messi, who selflessly passed the ball to Martinez for an easy finish.
Just three minutes later, Alvarez found the net himself after Bolivia were caught off guard during a free-kick, with Messi lofting the ball over the defense for the Atletico Madrid forward to calmly score.
After halftime, Nicolas Otamendi had a header disallowed for offside, but the fans didn’t wait long for a fourth goal as Thiago Almada calmly slotted home from a well-placed pull-back by Nahuel Molina.
Messi added a fifth goal in the 84th minute with a signature strike, dribbling through the center, switching from his left to right foot, and firing the ball into the bottom corner.
Just two minutes later, some fans were moved to tears as Messi cut in from the right, played a clever one-two with substitute Nico Paz, and once again placed the ball out of goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra’s reach.
Argentina now lead the 10-team table with 22 points from ten matches, three points ahead of second-place Colombia, who thrashed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla.
