Messi hat-trick drives Argentina

Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat-trick and had a hand in two more goals as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in front of an adoring home crowd at the Monumental stadium on Tuesday.

Making only his second international appearance since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa America in July, Messi capitalised on a mistake by defender Marcelo Suarez to open the scoring in the 19th minute. Lautaro Martinez scored from Messi’s quick cross in the 43rd minute.

Argentina made it 3-0 just before the break, with Messi setting up Julian Alvarez to score. Lionel Scaloni’s side controlled the second half. Substitute Thiago Almada made it 4-0, scoring from Nahuel Molina’s pass in the 70th minute with the venue transformed into an Argentine party.

Messi, 37, gave fans more reason to celebrate in the closing moments, beating two Bolivia defenders before unleashing a fierce shot to score his second. Messi needed only two more minutes to complete the hat-trick, joining Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with the most in men’s internationals, the Argentine skipper scoring with a left-footed drive to take his tally to 112 goals for his country. “It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people, it moves me how they shout my name,” Messi said.

Argentina are top of the standings with 22 points, having returned to winning ways after losing to Colombia last month and drawing with Venezuela last week.

Ronaldo held scoreless

Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo was held scoreless and Portugal lost their perfect record in the Nations League after a 0-0 draw at Scotland.

Portugal had won their first three matches in the competition but couldn’t find a breakthrough against the Scots in Glasgow on Tuesday. Ronaldo, sitting on 133 international goals, had a few good chances to break the deadlock. He seemed upset with the referee after the game ended, leaving the field with a sarcastic applause, waving his arms and with thumbs down.