Messi’s Hat Trick Propels Argentina to Dominant 6-0 Victory Over Bolivia

Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance with a dazzling hat trick and two assists, leading Argentina to a commanding 6-0 win over Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. The victory, played out before a roaring crowd at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, further cemented Argentina’s place at the top of the qualification table with 22 points after 10 matches.

At 37 years old, Messi’s performance was a masterclass in both skill and creativity. He opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by Bolivia’s Marcelo Suarez. Lautaro Martinez intercepted the ball, setting Messi up to finish with his signature precision into the bottom corner. The crowd erupted in applause, and it was just the beginning of Messi’s magic.

By the 43rd minute, Argentina had doubled their lead, thanks to a brilliant combination between Julian Alvarez and Martinez. Messi, instead of going for goal, unselfishly squared the ball to Martinez, who tapped it in with ease. Moments later, Messi set up Alvarez with a clever chip over the Bolivian defense for Argentina’s third goal, putting the game beyond reach before halftime.

Argentina continued their onslaught in the second half, with Thiago Almada adding a fourth after a perfect pull-back from Nahuel Molina. Messi, not content with just orchestrating the play, sealed the game with two more goals. His first came in the 84th minute when he weaved his way through Bolivia’s defense, switching from left to right foot before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Just two minutes later, he finished off a well-worked wall pass with substitute Nico Paz, sending the crowd into wild celebrations. Messi is having a terrific 2024 campaign and now that he’s healthy, he is once again proving that he is still one of the best players in the world.

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, who has witnessed countless Messi moments, marveled at his captain’s performance, saying, “It never ceases to amaze. At one point I sit down with Pablo Aimar and tell him that this is wonderful. To be able to be on the bench and see the things he does? The team is with him, and what I ask him to do is to play as long as he can.”

Argentina remains three points clear of second-placed Colombia. For Messi, this was his 10th international hat trick, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for most international hat tricks all time and his total of 112 international goals is second most only behind Cristiano Ronaldo. As long as Messi continues to perform at this level, Argentina will be a strong favorite in the 2026 World Cup.

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