Lionel Messi's Hat-Trick Leads Argentina to 6-0 Victory Over Bolivia

In a stunning display of skill and dominance, Lionel Messi scored a remarkable hat-trick as Argentina triumphed over Bolivia with a resounding 6-0 victory in World Cup qualifying. The match, held at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, saw Messi not only score three goals but also assist in two others, further solidifying his status as one of football's greatest players. This hat-trick marks Messi's 10th for the national team, bringing him level with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football history.

Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse. He then set up goals for Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Substitute Thiago Almada added a fourth goal before Messi finished the match with two late strikes, demonstrating his relentless attacking prowess. With this performance, Messi has now netted 112 goals in 189 appearances for Argentina, placing him just behind Ronaldo, who has 133 goals.

Following this emphatic win, Argentina sits three points clear at the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, despite earlier setbacks that included a loss to Colombia and a draw with Venezuela. Messi expressed his joy at being back on the field, stating that the affection from fans motivates him and that he feels youthful when playing with the national team, despite his age. Meanwhile, Brazil also found success, defeating Peru 4-0, with Raphinha scoring twice. As the qualifying rounds continue, Argentina's strong performance has them well-positioned for a World Cup berth.