Messi’s Stunning Hat-Trick Powers Argentina to 6-0 Blowout Against Bolivia in World Cup Qualifiers
Lionel Messi delivered an extraordinary performance, scoring a hat-trick and assisting two more goals, as Argentina crushed Bolivia 6-0 at the “Mas Monumental” Stadium in Buenos Aires during the tenth round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi’s goals came in the 19th, 84th, and 86th minutes, while he set up Lautaro Martínez (43rd minute) and Julián Álvarez (45+3) for two additional goals. Thiago Almada rounded out the scoring with the fourth goal in the 69th minute, thrilling an audience of 85,000 fans.
The 37-year-old Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had been absent from the pitch for two months due to a foot injury sustained during Argentina’s Copa América victory over Colombia (1-0 after extra time). He made his return earlier this month, netting two goals for MLS team Inter Miami, bringing his tally to 17 goals and 15 assists this season.
Following his hat-trick against Bolivia, Messi recorded his tenth international hat-trick, raising his overall international goal count to 112 and his career total to 846. He is currently the top scorer in the qualifiers, boasting six goals, ahead of Uruguay’s Darío Núñez (five) and Colombia’s Luis Díaz (four).
Brazil and Colombia Also Shine
Argentina now leads the unified group with 22 points, three points clear of Colombia, which secured a 4-0 victory over Chile in Barranquilla. Uruguay trails six points behind after a goalless draw against Ecuador, while Brazil cemented its fourth position with a commanding 4-0 win over Peru.
Raphinha, the Barcelona star, played a crucial role in Brazil’s success, scoring two penalties (38th and 54th minutes) and helping his team secure their second consecutive win after a 2-1 triumph over Chile. Substitutes Andreas Pereira and Luis Enrique added goals in the 71st and 74th minutes, respectively.
Colombia celebrated the centennial of its national football federation with an impressive 4-0 victory against Chile, the last-place team in the group. Under coach Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia opened the scoring with defender Davinson Sánchez (34th minute) and added three more in the second half from Luis Díaz (52nd), Juan Durán (82nd), and Luis Sinisterra (90+3).
In Montevideo, Uruguay, led by Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, could only manage a disappointing draw against Ecuador. Bielsa, who faced criticism from Uruguay’s all-time top scorer Luis Suárez, acknowledged that “La Celeste” is going through a challenging period following a disappointing draw that followed a tough defeat to Peru (0-1).
Bielsa dismissed any links between Suárez’s comments and the team’s struggles, stating, “I am aware of what is happening, but in my opinion, if you tell me you couldn’t perform well because of what you’ve been through, I would disagree; that had no impact.”
The coach, who took over the two-time world champions in May 2023, noted, “To be honest, I believe Uruguay has better players than the opponent we failed to overcome. When a team with superior players does not win, we must always look at the management of the group.”
Meanwhile, Paraguay enhanced its chances of securing one of the six direct World Cup qualifying spots, sitting sixth with 13 points, thanks to substitute Antonio Sanabria, who scored both goals in their 2-1 victory over Venezuela.
