Lionel Messi Matches Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Record in Argentina’s 6-0 Victory Over Bolivia
Lionel Messi Matches Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Record in Argentina’s Victory Over Bolivia – FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Argentina easily defeated Bolivia in the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers thanks to a stunning performance by Lionel Messi that matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary record. With an amazing hat-trick, the Argentine captain and Ronaldo shared the record for the most international hat-tricks in football history, with ten.
Argentina crushed Bolivia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American qualifiers, led by Lionel Messi’s incredible performance, which tied Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible record. Argentina dominated play at the historic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, with three goals and two assists from Messi that left both fans and pundits thrilled.
Messi now shares the record for the most international hat-tricks in history with Ronaldo after this one. As Argentina maintained their unbeaten streak in the World Cup qualifying matches, the hat-trick also increased the football player’s total to 112 goals for his country.
Throughout the game, as Lionel Scaloni’s team controlled, the 37-year-old gave a strong reminder of his continuing quality with three clinical finishes, two assists, and a flash of his signature ingenuity.
In the 19th minute, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took advantage of a blunder by Lautaro Martinez, a Bolivian defender, to send Messi clean and into the bottom corner with a deft shot.
In the 43rd minute, a selfless pass from Julian Alvarez to Messi had the home crowd at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires up and dancing. Messi then squared the ball to Martinez for the finish.
Three minutes later, Messi chipped the ball over the top for Atletico Madrid’s forward to tuck home, catching Bolivia napping at a free-kick. Alvarez was on target again.
Following the interval, a header by Nicolas Otamendi was disqualified for offside, but the home crowd had to wait little longer for the fourth goal, which was scored by Thiago Almada with a wonderful pull-back from Nahuel Molina.
The score was 5-0 thanks to a trademark Messi goal in the 84th minute. The Inter Miami star dribbled in the center of the field before transferring to his right foot and finishing into the bottom corner.
After Messi cut in from the right, played a deft wall pass off substitute Nico Paz, and again placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra’s reach, two minutes later, several spectators were in tears.
With 22 points from 10 games, Argentina leads the 10-team standings by three points over second-place Colombia, who thrashed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla.
