Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match, scoring his 10th international hat-trick as the team thrashed Bolivia 6-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The 37-year-old Inter Miami forward not only netted three goals but also assisted in two more, helping Argentina solidify their position at the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup.
With this hat-trick, Lionel Messi has now equaled Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football, both standing at 10. The victory leaves Argentina three points ahead of Colombia, despite a few hiccups in their campaign, including a loss to Colombia in September and a draw with Venezuela. Messi, reflecting on the support from fans, said, “It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people. It moves me how they shout my name. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it.”
Lionel Messi’s Leadership and Scoring Prowess Shine Again
In only his second appearance for Argentina since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa America in July, Messi proved instrumental in Argentina’s offensive dominance. He opened the scoring in the 19th minute after capitalizing on a defensive mistake by Bolivia. Lionel Messi then turned provider, setting up Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, whose goals put Argentina in a commanding 3-0 lead.
Argentina’s relentless attack continued as substitute Thiago Almada made it 4-0, before Messi struck twice in quick succession towards the end of the match. His second and third goals came within two minutes, with the third being a well-placed shot into the bottom corner. This brought Lionel Messi international tally to 112 goals in 189 matches, only trailing Ronaldo’s 133 goals in men’s internationals. Messi’s performance highlighted his enduring impact on the global stage, even at the age of 37.
Brazil, Colombia Also Shine in World Cup Qualifiers
While Argentina celebrated Lionel Messi’s brilliance, Brazil and Colombia also secured crucial victories in their respective World Cup qualifiers. Struggling Brazil, led by Raphinha’s two penalties, defeated Peru 4-0 in Brasilia. After a rough patch in their campaign, with four losses in their previous five qualifiers, Brazil rebounded with back-to-back wins, including a key victory over Chile. Dorival Junior’s side now sits fourth in the table, six points behind Argentina, and remains in strong contention for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Colombia thrashed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla, with in-form Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran scoring his seventh goal of the season across all competitions. Davinson Sanchez, Luis Diaz, and Luis Sinisterra also contributed goals, keeping Colombia in the race for a top-six spot that guarantees automatic qualification. With these results, the South American qualifiers continue to heat up as teams battle for coveted World Cup berths in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
South American Qualifying Standings Heat Up
With just six automatic qualification spots available for the 2026 World Cup, the race in South America is becoming increasingly competitive. Argentina leads the pack with 22 points, followed by Colombia with 19 after their emphatic 4-0 win over Chile. Uruguay and Brazil are tied with 16 points each, but Uruguay edges into third place on goal difference after a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.
Ecuador and Paraguay, both with 13 points, remain in strong contention for qualification. Meanwhile, Bolivia, despite suffering a heavy defeat to Argentina, still holds the seventh spot with 12 points, keeping their hopes alive for an international playoff. However, Chile’s loss to Colombia has them languishing in last place with only five points, putting coach Ricardo Gareca’s job at risk. As the qualifiers continue into November, the battle for World Cup spots is far from over, with every match now holding significant implications for the teams involved.
