FIFA WC Qualifiers: Messi's Hat-Trick Steals The Show - In Pics

A hat trick and two assists: Lionel Messi came back in style for Argentina in its 6-0 home win in a South American World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday. Messi, who missed two rounds of the competition in October due to a right ankle injury, played from start to finish on Tuesday in front of raucous fans at the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium, who chanted his name after he opened the scoring in the 19th minute. It's archrival Brazil, whose coach Dorival Júnior was under pressure earlier this month, got some relief with a convincing performance in a 4-0 home win against Peru. Argentina remained as leaders of the round-robin competition with 22 points after 10 matches, three points clear of second-place Colombia, who earlier beat Chile 4-0. Uruguay, which earlier had a goalless draw with Ecuador, and Brazil come next with 16 points.

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Updated on: 16 October 2024 12:14 pm

Argentina Bolivia Wcup 2026 Soccer Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lionel Messi scores his side's sixth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Bolivia Argentina Wcup 2026 Soccer Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Argentina vs Bolivia Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina fans celebrate their side's fifth goal against Bolivia, scored by Lionel Messi, during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA WC Qualifiers: Bolivia vs Argentina

FIFA WC Qualifiers: Argentina vs Bolivia Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Lionel Messi scores his side's fifth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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FIFA WC Qualifiers: Argentina vs Bolivia

FIFA WC Qualifiers: Bolivia vs Argentina Phto: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Thiago Almada celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Bolivia vs Argentina Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lionel Messi jumps for the ball challenged by Bolivia's Carmelo Algaranaz during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer Match: Bolivia vs Argentina

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer Match: Argentina vs Bolivia Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer Match: Argentina vs Bolivia

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer Match: Bolivia vs Argentina Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer: Bolivia vs Argentina

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer: Argentina vs Bolivia Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after missing an opportunity to score during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer: Argentina vs Bolivia

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Soccer: Bolivia vs Argentina Photo: AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.