Messi nets hat trick as Argentina steamroll Bolivia

      Messi nets hat trick as Argentina steamroll         Bolivia

How Messi made more history for Argentina

Check out Lionel Messi's latest show for Argentina in their 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.

Lionel Messi scored a hat trick

 and had a hand in two more goals as Argentina crushed Bolivia 6-0 in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday in front of raucous fans at the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium.

It marked the first time in Messi's international career that he had multiple goals and assists in a single game, and the hat trick was his 10th for Argentina -- tying Cristiano Ronaldo's mark for hat tricks with Portugal.

Making only his second international appearance since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa América in July, Messi capitalised on a mistake by defender Marcelo Suarez to open the scoring in the 19th minute.

"We enjoyed this, we are happy to be here playing in Argentina," said Messi, who once again refused to say whether he will play in the next World Cup in 2026. "This could be one of the last [matches in front of the Argentinian crowd