Messi Reaches 112 International Goals with 10th Hat Trick in World Cup Qualifier

In a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, Argentina defeated Bolivia 6-0 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, who also had two assists. This was Messi’s tenth international hat trick, bringing his career total to 112 goals.

Messi was cheered on by raucous fans at Estadio Monumental who screamed his name after he scored the game’s first goal in the 19th minute. Messi had missed two October qualifiers due to a right ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America.

In the 84th and 86th minutes, Messi added two more goals. The 37-year-old is ranked second in the career scoring list, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal with 133 goals.

Brazil’s rivals, under pressure to win 4–0 at home against Peru, provided some respite for coach Dorival Júnio.

After ten games, Argentina has collected 22 points, three more than Colombia, who defeated Chile 4-0 to take second position in South American qualifying. Brazil and Uruguay, who had previously drawn goallessly with Ecuador, each have 16 points, with the latter placing third on goal differential.

With 13 points apiece, Ecuador and Paraguay are next, with Ecuador ranking fifth on goal differential.

The top six teams will automatically qualify for the World Cup of 2026. Bolivia, presently occupying seventh place, will compete in an international playoff to secure a seat in the competition.

November will see the play of two more rounds.

Messi looks great upon his return

A Bolivian defender’s misplayed pass gave Messi the opportunity to go free and finish unopposed in front of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra, setting up Messi’s first goal. Messi once again provided an important ball and assisted on Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the 43rd minute. In the third minute of stoppage time in the first half, Julián Álvarez scored.

After a low cross by Nahuel Molina in the 69th minute, Thiago Almada scored, and Messi then finished brilliantly from the edge of the area.

Messi stated, “We are happy to be here playing in Argentina. We enjoyed this.” He once again declined to declare whether he will participate in the 2026 World Cup. “This match in front of the Argentine crowd might be the last one.”

With 12 points, Bolivia, which is attempting to make the World Cup for the first time in thirty years, is still in the running.

Argentina reappears under Júnior

Coach Dorival Júnior found significance in the South American qualifying rounds during this month. His team was having trouble defeating opponents like Paraguay and Venezuela after being eliminated in the most recent Copa America quarterfinals.

Due to injuries to several of his starters—goalkeeper Alisson, defender Éder Militão, and forward Vinicius Júnior—Júnior’s chances of winning in matches against Chile and Peru appeared slim. However, the Brazil coach will feel some relief after a thrilling victory against the Chileans and a strong showing against the Peruvians.

In the 38th and 54th minutes of play in Brasilia, Raphinha scored twice from the penalty spot to give Brazil the lead.

When substitute Andreas Pereira scored with a volley in the 71st minute at the National Stadium, almost 60,000 spectators screamed. Luiz Henrique, another substitute, scored a beautiful goal from the edge of the box to give the national team its second straight victory.

Chile came in last

After Chile’s defeat by Colombia, coach Ricardo Gareca’s position is in jeopardy. The goals for Colombia were scored by Davinson Sánchez, Luis Díaz, Jhon Durán, and Luis Sinistierra. With just five points, Chile sits in last place in the qualification group.

After defeating Venezuela 2-1, Paraguay advanced to the qualifying round of the rankings. After coming off the bench, Antonio Sarabia scored goals in the 59th and 74th minutes to seal the victory for the home team, after Jon Aramburo had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 25th minute.