Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and two assists when he led Argentina to beat Bolivia with a landslide score of 6-0 in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Wednesday (16/10) morning WIB.
Lionel Messi gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Messi was in a free position when Lautaro Martinez successfully sent the ball to him.
Messi then ran fast into the penalty box and directed the ball to the near post to break into Guillermo Viscarra’s goal. Argentina also won 1-0.
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Disaster for Bolivia then came in the final minutes of the first half. Albiceleste was able to score two additional goals to take a 3-0 lead in the first half.
The second goal was scored by Lautaro Martinez. This goal was in the form of Argentina’s fast counterattack scheme.
Messi received the ball from Julian Alvarez and ran from the middle of the field in a free position. With an open shooting space, Messi chose to pass to Lautaro. Lautaro had no trouble getting the ball into the wide open goal.
When injury time entered the third minute, it was Alvarez’s turn to score. Alvarez received a pass from Messi and managed to score a goal with a shot that was first reflected onto the grass.
Winning by three goals made Argentina even more enthusiastic in the second half. When the second half had only been running for four minutes, Nicolas Otamendi joined in the goal party.
This goal started from Messi’s pass to Enzo Fernandez. Enzo then sent a cross towards the far post. Otamendi stood there and managed to head the ball into the goal. However, this goal was later disallowed because Otamendi was in an offside position via VAR monitoring.
After that, Lionel Scaloni decided to field a number of substitutes in the middle of the second half. Thiago Almada replaces Alvarez while Nico Paz replaces Lautaro Martinez. Messi remains on the pitch.
Almada managed to score a goal after only being on the field for five minutes. He successfully continued Nahuel Molina’s mature pass.
Scaloni’s decision to keep Messi on the field paid off. Messi scored two additional goals in the 84th and 86th minutes.
Messi’s second goal was created through extraordinary individual action. Receiving a ball from Exequiel Palacios, Messi damaged Bolivia’s defense through individual action. He then fired a horizontal shot with his right foot which sent the ball into the goal.
Meanwhile, Messi secured a hat trick with a goal which is often his trademark. He made a 1-2 pass with Nico Paz then fired a left footed shot shortly after entering the penalty box.
Lineup
Argentina (4-3-3)
Geronimo Rulli; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi (Lisandro Martinez 73), Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul (Exequiel Palacios 65), Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister (Leandro Paredes 66); Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez (Nico Paz 73), Julian Alvarez (Thiago Almada 65)
Bolivia (5-4-1)
Guillermo Viscarra; Diego Medina, Luis Haquin, Marcelo Suarez, Jose Sagredo, Roberto Fernandez (Luis Paz 67); Miguelito (Lucas Chavez 67), Robson Matheus, Gabriel Villamil, Ramiro Vaca; Carmelo Algaranaz
