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Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass, scoring a hat-trick and providing two assists as Argentina demolished Bolivia 6-0 in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying clash on Tuesday. The 37-year-old icon showcased his enduring brilliance, helping the reigning world champions maintain their dominant form.
Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute, slotting home after Lautaro Martínez capitalized on a defensive error. He followed up with an assist for Martínez’s goal in the 43rd minute, after linking up with Julián Álvarez in a smooth team move. Moments later, Álvarez found the back of the net himself, chipping in from a Messi free-kick.
The second half saw Thiago Almada add a fourth after a superb pull-back from Nahuel Molina. Messi’s second goal came in the 84th minute as he dribbled through the Bolivian defense before switching feet to finish with precision. He completed his hat-trick just two minutes later, after a clever one-two with substitute Nico Paz, leaving Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra helpless.
With this win, Argentina remains at the top of the 10-team table with 22 points from ten games, leading second-placed Colombia by three points.
– Colombia Crush Chile –
Wearing a special retro kit, Colombia dismantled a struggling Chile side with a 4-0 win in Barranquilla. Davinson Sánchez opened the scoring in the 34th minute from a corner before Luis Díaz doubled their lead early in the second half. Jhon Duran and Luis Sinisterra added goals late in the match to complete the rout, leaving Chile rooted at the bottom of the standings.
– Brazil Outclass Peru –
In Brasília, Brazil comfortably defeated Peru 4-0. Two penalties from Raphinha set Brazil on their way before a stunning scissor-kick volley by Andreas Pereira and a spectacular left-footed strike from Luiz Henrique sealed the win, lifting Brazil to fourth in the standings.
– Sanabria’s Double Seals Paraguay Win –
Paraguay boosted their qualification hopes with a 2-1 win over Venezuela, thanks to two goals from substitute Antonio Sanabria. Venezuela took the lead through Jon Aramburu in the first half, but Sanabria’s second-half heroics turned the game around.
Meanwhile, Uruguay and Ecuador played out a goalless draw in a cagey affair.
