An in-form Lionel Messi scored three goals and provided two assists in Buenos Aires as Argentina beat Bolivia 6-0 in South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Messi scored in the 19th, 84th and 86th minutes, but also assisted Lautaro Martinez (43′) and Julián Alvarez (48′).
Returning from a two-month layoff due to injury, the former Barcelona star, who at 37 plays for Inter Miami, scored two MLS goals in early October, taking his tally to 17 goals and 15 assists in the league of the USA this year.
With 22 points, Argentina leads the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, organized by the United States, Canada and Mexico, three points ahead of Colombia, which defeated Chile 4-0.