Messi Scores Hat Trick As Argentina Outclasses Bolivia In World Cup Qualifier

Argentina secured a resounding 6-0 victory against Bolivia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, marking Lionel Scaloni’s 61st win in his 81st game as head coach.

The match, held at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, displayed the brilliance of Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick and further solidified his status as the greatest player in football history.

A Stubborn Start

The match did not begin smoothly for the hosts. Bolivia, known for their disciplined defensive setup, proved to be a tough nut to crack in the opening quarter-hour.

Argentina struggled to find their rhythm as the Bolivian defense held firm, frustrating the home side’s attacking efforts.

However, the tide turned dramatically in the 19th minute when Lautaro Martinez’s tenacity paid off.

Martinez blocked a routine clearance, and the ball fortuitously fell to Messi. With the poise and precision that have become his trademarks, Messi slotted the ball into the near post, registering his 110th international goal.

This breakthrough ignited the atmosphere in the stadium, and from that moment on, it was clear that Argentina was in control.

Messi’s Masterclass

Once ahead, Argentina found their groove, and Messi emerged as the focal point of their attack. His influence was noticeable as he orchestrated play, constantly threatening the Bolivian defense.

A free-kick from distance almost caught Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra off guard, but he managed to make a reaction save. Viscarra was called into action again shortly after, producing a stunning stop from another Messi free-kick that seemed destined for the back of the net.

As the first half drew to a close, Argentina’s superiority became increasingly evident. A brilliant defense-splitting pass from Julian Alvarez sent Messi racing through on goal.

However, displaying unselfishness, Messi squared the ball for Lautaro Martinez, who calmly finished into an empty net.

Just before the halftime whistle, Messi showed his quick thinking with a swiftly taken free-kick that caught the Bolivian defense napping, allowing Alvarez to score Argentina’s third goal, sending the home side into the break with a comfortable lead.

Second Half

Argentina resumed the match with the same intensity after halftime, and within three minutes, they thought they had increased their lead when Nicolas Otamendi powered a header into the net.

However, the goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review confirmed an offside in the buildup.

Bolivia briefly threatened to mount a comeback, but their offensive efforts were hampered by a lack of clinical finishing. Argentina quickly regained control, with Alexis Mac Allister firing a powerful shot from the edge of the box, only to be thwarted by another impressive save from Viscarra.

In the 70th minute, Scaloni made a triple substitution that proved pivotal. Two of the substitutes combined to finally secure the fourth goal. Leandro Paredes delivered a precise ball across the face of the goal, and Thiago Almada was on hand to finish with a powerful first-time shot, extending Argentina’s lead to 4-0.

Messi’s Hat Trick and a Statement Victory

As the match neared its conclusion, Messi was not done yet. He added a fifth goal with a clinical finish, demonstrating his trademark composure in front of goal.

His third and final goal of the night rounded off the scoring, bringing his tally to three for the evening.

The victory restored Argentina’s three-point lead at the top of the qualifying table, a significant boost as they look ahead to their next match against Paraguay next month.

Meanwhile, Bolivia remains in a precarious playoff position and will face Ecuador away in their next match.