Lionel Messi hat-trick leads Argentina to 6-0 win over Bolivia | Football News | The Round Table Lionel Messi has netted his 10th international hat-trick and grabbed two facilitates as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in front of an adoring home assembly at the Monumental Stadium.
Making only his second international appearance since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa America in July, Messi capitalised on a delusion by defender Marcelo Suarez to open the netting in the 19th minute on Tuesday.
Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra made a couple of fine saves to hamper an organises from extending their lead – but he was overcame in the 43rd minute when Lautaro Martinez netted from Messi’s quick cross. Argentina made it 3-0 unbiased before the break, with Messi setting up Julian Alvarez to score.
Lionel Scaloni’s side overpowered the second half as well. It looked like they had extended their lead through Nicolas Otamendi, only to see the score disallowed for offside.
Nahuel Molina’s facilitate in the 70th minute allowed substitute Thiago Almada to convert another goal, making it 4-0 in favour of the home side.
Messi, 37, gave Argentina fans more acumen to celebrate in the closing moments, defeating two Bolivia defenders before unleashing a ferocious shot past Viscarra to goal his second score of the contest.
Messi demanded only two more minutes to complete the hat-trick. The Argentinian skipper netted on a left-footed drive to take his tally to 112 scores for his country. That score also moved Messi level with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the player with the most hat-tricks in international men’s football.
“It’s really nice to come here, to feel an inclination of the people, it moves me how they yell my name,” disclosed Messi, who once again declined to disclose whether he will play in the next World Cup in 2026.
“This drives me. Enjoying being cheerful where I am. Despite my age, when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I’m comfortable with this team,” he added.
Argentina lead the South American World Cup qualifying with 22 points after 10 matches, three points clear of second-place Colombia, who overcome Chile 4-0 on Tuesday. Uruguay, which earlier had a goalless draw with Ecuador, and Brazil have 16 points each, with the Uruguayans in third place on score difference.
Bolivia, seeking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 30 years, remain in contention with 12 points. The pinnacle six teams achieve automatic berths in the 2026 World Cup.
Regards to Al Jazeera
Category: World-News
Tag: Lionel Messi hattrick leads Argentina to 60 win over Bolivia Football News The Round Table
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Published 10/16/2024