Lionel Messi notched his tenth worldwide hat trick, boosting his profession tally to 112 objectives, and contributed two assists as Argentina dominated Bolivia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier Tuesday.
After sitting out two October qualifiers due to a proper ankle harm sustained within the Copa América, Messi returned in full type, enjoying the complete match at Estadio Monumental.
Roaring followers chanted his identify as he opened the scoring within the nineteenth minute. He sealed the victory with strikes within the 84th and 86th minutes.
The 37-year-old stays second on the all-time scoring listing, trailing solely Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 133 objectives.
Meanwhile, Brazil and embattled coach Dorival Junior discovered some aid with a dominant 4-0 dwelling victory over Peru.
Argentina leads South American qualifying with 22 factors after 10 matches, three factors away from second-place Colombia, which beat Chile 4-0. Uruguay, which earlier had a scoreless draw with Ecuador, and Brazil have 16 factors every, with Uruguay in third place on purpose distinction.
Ecuador and Paraguay adopted with 13 factors apiece, with Ecuador fifth in purpose distinction.
The high six groups safe automated berths within the 2026 World Cup. The seventh-place workforce, at the moment Bolivia, will play in a global playoff for a spot within the match.
Two extra rounds will likely be performed in November.
Messi’s first purpose got here after a mistake by a Bolivian defender, who missed a move and allowed Messi to run freely and end unchallenged in entrance of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra. Messi assisted on Lautaro Martinez’s Forty third-minute purpose and offered a decisive move as soon as once more as Julian Alvarez scored within the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
Thiago Almada scored within the 69th minute off a low cross by Nahuel Molina earlier than Messi accomplished his hat trick with exact finishes from the sting of the world.
“We enjoyed this, we are happy to be here playing in Argentina,” Messi mentioned, once more refusing to say whether or not he’ll play within the 2026 World Cup. “This could be one of the last (matches in front of the Argentine crowd).”
Bolivia, which is searching for to qualify for the World Cup for the primary time in 30 years, stays in competition with 12 factors.
This month’s rounds of South American qualifying have been essential for coach Dorival Junior. His workforce was knocked out within the quarterfinals of the newest Copa América and had struggled towards rivals it used to beat simply, resembling Paraguay and Venezuela.
Junior’s possibilities of success appeared slim in matches towards Chile and Peru as a result of accidents sidelined a number of of his starters. Goalkeeper Alisson, defender Éder Militão, and striker Vinícius Junior have been all out. However, a last-minute win towards the Chileans and a convincing show towards the Peruvians will give the Brazil coach some aid.
Raphinha scored from the penalty spot twice to place Brazil in entrance in Brasília, the primary within the thirty eighth minute and the second within the 54th.
Substitute Andreas Pereira thrilled greater than 60,000 followers on the National Stadium when he scored with a volley within the 71st minute. Another substitute, Luiz Henrique, scored for the second consecutive match with an aesthetic shot from the sting of the field.
“These were two matches that we controlled well,” Raphinha mentioned. “We are far from perfection, but we are on the right track.”
Chile’s loss to Colombia has put coach Ricardo Gareca’s job in danger. Davinson Sánchez, Luis Díaz, Jhon Durán, and Luis Sinisterra scored the objectives for Colombia. Chile is final within the qualifying group with solely 5 factors.
Paraguay beat Venezuela 2-1 and moved right into a qualifying place within the standings. Jon Aramburu opened the scoring for the guests within the twenty fifth minute, however striker Antonio Sanabria got here off the bench to win it for the hosts with objectives within the 59th and 74th minutes.
Source: www.dailysabah.com