Messi scored 3 goals and assisted 2 times in Argentina’s 6-0 win.
In the early morning of October 16, superstar Lionel Messi once again shone to help Argentina win the South American World Cup Qualifiers. Messi scored 3 goals and had 2 assists, helping Albiceleste beat Bolivia with a score of 6-0.
This is Messi’s 58th hat-trick in his career, bringing his total number of goals for the Argentina national team to 112. With coach Lionel Scaloni, he won his 61st match with the team after 81 matches in charge. Under Scaloni, Argentina achieved a winning rate of more than 75%.
Bolivia were completely outclassed in the match against the world champions. Throughout the match, they only controlled 32% of the ball, had only 1 shot on target but failed to score. On the contrary, Argentina dominated the game and had 15 shots. They soon found a way to penetrate Bolivia’s dense defense in the 19th minute.
Messi received the ball after a tackle from Lautaro Martinez. The Inter Miami striker dribbled close to the Bolivian goal and finished into the near corner, opening the scoring. Before the end of the first half, Messi made two more beautiful assists to help Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez score.
With superior class, Argentina played leisurely but still scored 3 more goals in the second half. Substitute Thiago Almada fired a powerful shot with his first touch, raising the score to 4-0. Towards the end of the match, Lionel Messi completed his hat-trick with goals in the 84th and 86th minutes.
The match ended 6-0. With luck, Argentina could have won by 7 or 8 goals. Goalkeeper Viscarra had to pick the ball out of the net early in the second half from Otamendi’s shot, but the Argentine centre-back was in an offside position.
With 3 points, Argentina continues to lead the 2026 World Cup qualifying rankings in South America. Scalona’s team maintains a 3-point gap with Colombia – the team that also won big in match 10. Brazil defeated Peru 4-0 in the late match on the morning of October 16, but is still 6 points behind Argentina.
