Messi scores 3 as Argentina destroy Bolivia

BUENOS AIRES: Leonel Messi put on a historic performance against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, as Argentina demolished Bolivia 6-0.

FIRST HALF

Messi led the charge with an immediate goal in the 19th minute after Lautaro Martinez won the ball off a Bolivian defender, sending it to the argentine captain’s way immediately to take the lead.

The roles would switch right before half time, as Martinez would get a goal of his own, after Messi and he only had one defender and the goalkeeper to beat. A quick pass inside the box would lead to Argentina’s second goal of the game.

To add to Bolivia’s demise, Julian Alvarez would score in extra time before the break, with Messi once again providing the assist. A beautiful lob from a free kick would find Alvarez inside the box, and the 24-year-old Argentine forward would make the score 3-0.

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 SECOND HALF

Argentina would continue to mount the pressure, eventually striking again in the 69th minute.

Thiago Almada would score off an incredible three man play, which began with a pass from Leandro Paredes, who sent the ball to Nahuel Molina. Molina would only need one touch to send the ball Almada’s way, and the 23-year-old player would do the rest.

Even with the monumental lead, Argentina were not satisfied. The relentless pressure would only increase, until Messi imposed his will on Bolivia again in the 84th minute. The Argentine captain would charge into the box before striking the ball along the ground to send it into the bottom left corner of Bolivia’s net.

Two minutes later, Messi would do it again, completing the hat trick. As he tried to find his way through the Bolivian defenders, he passed the ball off to Enzo Fernandez for but a moment, as the midfielder took one touch, playing it off to Messi once again. That was all the separation that Messi needed, taking a few steps into the box, before launching the ball into the back of the Bolivian net one last time.

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