In an exhilarating display of skill and finesse, Lionel Messi once again captured the world’s attention, leading Argentina to a dominant 6-0 victory over Bolivia in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday. Under the floodlights at Buenos Aires’s iconic Monumental Stadium, the Argentine maestro delivered a performance that left fans in awe, setting the stage for a thrilling night of football.
The 37-year-old legend, already an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, was the undisputed star of the evening, as he scored a classic hat-trick and provided two assists, dazzling with his creativity and precise execution. The monumental win not only solidified Argentina’s position at the top of the qualifying table but also served as a potent reminder of Messi’s enduring brilliance on the international stage.
From the outset, Argentina set the tempo of the match, with Messi’s presence felt almost instantly. The opening goal came in the 19th minute, a testament to Messi’s opportunistic prowess. After Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez lost possession to Lautaro Martinez, Messi skillfully navigated past the defense and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, igniting jubilation among the home supporters. The early goal was just the beginning of a masterclass performance by the Argentine captain.
The atmosphere at Monumental Stadium was electric, with fans eager for more action. They did not have to wait long. In the 43rd minute, a beautifully orchestrated play saw Julian Alvarez threading an exquisite pass through the Bolivian defense. Showing his unselfish side, Messi squared the ball to Martinez, who made no mistake in finishing the move, doubling Argentina’s lead.
Just moments later, the Argentine onslaught continued. Bolivia seemed caught off-guard during a free-kick, allowing Messi to further exploit their defensive lapses. With a deft chip over the top, Messi set up Alvarez, who calmly extended the lead to three goals, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
After the halftime break, Argentina maintained their attacking fervor.
. Despite a disallowed goal by Nicolas Otamendi due to offside, it didn’t take long for the hosts to find the net again. In the 50th minute, Thiago Almada scored Argentina’s fourth, courtesy of a clever pull-back from Nahuel Molina. The fluidity and teamwork on display were a testament to Argentina’s tactical cohesion under coach Lionel Scaloni.
As the match reached its latter stages, Messi’s hunger for goals remained unabated. In the 84th minute, he added to the scoreline with a sensational solo effort. Embarking on one of his signature dribbles, Messi cut centrally, deftly maneuvering past the Bolivian defense, before switching from his left foot to his right, and burying the ball into the far corner, making it 5-0.
The passion among fans was palpable as some were moved to tears two minutes later, witnessing another piece of Messi magic. Cutting in from the right, the Argentine maestro executed a brilliant one-two with substitute Nico Paz before beating the Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra for the sixth time of the night. The eruption of joy in the stands was a fitting celebration of a phenomenal performance by the Argentine team.
With this emphatic victory, Argentina sits atop the qualifying group with an impressive 22 points from 10 matches, leading second-placed Colombia by three points. On the same night, Colombia exhibited their prowess with a convincing 4-0 win over Chile in Barranquilla.
Elsewhere, Brazil continued their march towards World Cup qualification with a solid 4-0 triumph over Peru in Brasilia. Brazilian winger Raphinha, representing Barcelona, converted a pair of penalties, ensuring the five-time World Cup champions maintained their dominance in the qualifiers.
The remarkable display not only reaffirmed Argentina’s prowess but also highlighted Lionel Messi’s enduring impact on the game. Fans worldwide are left with the delightful memory of yet another iconic performance from one of football’s greatest ever, as Argentina continues to build momentum on the road to the World Cup.
