Lionel Messi has made history by scoring his 10th international hat-trick, leading Argentina to a 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Messi, who was playing only his second international match since recovering from an injury, opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a mistake by Bolivia’s defender Marcelo Suarez. He then went on to provide two assists, helping his team to a dominant win in front of a home crowd at the Monumental Stadium.
In the first half, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez also found the back of the net with assists from Messi, giving Argentina a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime. Despite having a goal disallowed for offside, Argentina continued their control in the second half. Substitutes Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada combined for the fourth goal, further extending Argentina’s lead over Bolivia.
Towards the end of the match, Messi added two more goals to his tally, completing his hat-trick with a left-footed strike. This achievement tied him with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football. After the game, Messi expressed his joy at playing for Argentina and the support he receives from the fans, but remained elusive about his plans for the 2026 World Cup.
With this win, Argentina sits comfortably at the top of the South American World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points from 10 matches, three points ahead of second-place Colombia. Brazil and Uruguay are also in contention, with 16 points each, while Bolivia remains in the running with 12 points. The top six teams in the qualifiers will secure automatic berths in the upcoming World Cup.
Messi’s performance not only showcased his individual brilliance but also highlighted Argentina’s strength as a team. With their sights set on the 2026 World Cup, Argentina will look to build upon this victory and continue their strong showing in the qualifiers. As Messi and his teammates aim for success on the international stage, fans can expect more exciting performances and milestones from one of the greatest footballers of all time.
