Messi Masterclass: Argentina Dismantles Bolivia 6-0 in World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Argentina, led by the brilliance of Lionel Messi, secured a commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, delivered a remarkable performance, scoring a hat-trick and providing two assists as the Albiceleste dominated the match.

The Inter Miami superstar opened the scoring 19 minutes in, seizing on a Bolivian defensive blunder to put Argentina ahead. His creativity was on display again when he assisted Lautaro Martínez for Argentina’s second goal, setting up a simple tap-in after slicing through Bolivia's defense. Messi’s quick thinking continued in first-half stoppage time, where a fast free-kick set up Julián Álvarez to make it 3-0.

Argentina's relentless pressure didn’t let up in the second half. Substitutes added fresh energy, with Thiago Almada scoring the fourth goal in the 70th minute. But Messi was far from finished. In the final 10 minutes, the 37-year-old icon netted twice more, with his second coming from a right-footed strike into the bottom-right corner. To complete his hat-trick, Messi combined beautifully with Nico Paz before smashing the ball home to seal the 6-0 rout.

With this emphatic win, Argentina remains at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, having amassed 22 points from 10 matches.

Player Ratings from Argentina's Dominant Victory
Lionel Messi – 10/10: A masterclass performance. Hat-trick, two assists, and total control of the game.
Lautaro Martínez – 8.5/10: Worked hard off the ball and finished calmly for Argentina's second goal.
Julián Álvarez – 8/10: Clinical as ever, finding the net right before halftime.
Thiago Almada – 7.5/10: Energetic and effective off the bench, scoring a fine goal.
Nico Paz – 7/10: Involved in the build-up to Messi’s third goal with a clever one-two.
Argentina’s dominance was clear from start to finish, and Lionel Messi's genius continues to captivate football fans across the globe.