Lionel Messi rolled back the years at the Monumental on Tuesday night, scoring a hat-trick and bagging two assists as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
Showing no sign of his 37 years of age, Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute by taking advantage of a defensive error and scored two fantastic goals late on in the 84th and 86th minutes.
Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni decided to field a very attacking side for the Bolivia clash, with Messi forming a lethal trident with forwards Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, who both got on the scoresheet in the first half.
Buoyed by the confidence of a three-match winning streak, Bolivia arrived in Buenos Aires intending to be strong at the back.
But the Albiceleste's pressure paid off sooner rather than later, and a slip at the back allowed Lautaro Martínez to charge down the ball and set up Messi, who coolly slotted past goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra at the near post to open the scoring.
Argentina increased their dominance of the game and began to create chances, with the crowd revelling in Messi's first appearance in Buenos Aires for 11 months.
In the 42nd minute, Julián Álvarez set up the Inter Miami star, who ran through on goal again but this time slipped a cute pass to Lautaro Martínez to score a second.
A little later, in first half stoppage time, a quickly taken free kick saw Messi chip a pass to Álvarez, who darted in behind, dominated his man and slotted home.
In the second half, Argentina eased off slightly, but did not relinquish control. Another set piece led to a disallowed goal for a tight offside and when the fourth goal arrived, it was no surprise.
It was, however, a thing of beauty: a diagonal pass from substitute Leo Parades over the top found Nahuel Molina's run and the full back's first-time cross was met with an instinctive first-time finish by Almada.
Scaloni was happy to make changes, bringing on Exequiel Palacios, back from injury after several months out, and 20-year-old Nico Paz, who has performed well for Italy's Como.
Six minutes from the end, Messi made a run through the middle and dropped a shoulder, passing a defender and finishing right-footed for a fifth goal.
Two minutes later, he combined with youngster Paz and scored his 112th goal for the Albiceleste in a goal that rolled back the years: a powerful left-footed shot into the corner as he ran at defenders at pace.
It was a fantastic performance from the Rosario-born star and Lionel Scaloni's side in general, who returned to winning ways after suffering defeat to Colombia and drawing against Venezuela in their last two matches and regain top spot in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina now lead the standings with 22 points after 10 rounds of fixtures. Colombia are in second on 19, followed by Uruguay on 16.
Scaloni's side will next face Paraguay in Asunción in mid-November and have now put themselves within reach of guaranteeing their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Argentina 6 Bolivia 0
Stadium: Monumental (Buenos Aires)
Referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Goals: Argentina – Messi (19, 84, 86), Martínez (43), Álvarez (45+3), Almada (70)
Bookings: Bolivia – Algarañaz (76)
Line-ups:
Argentina – Gerónimo Rulli - Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi (Lisandro Martínez 73), Nicolás Tagliafico - Rodrigo De Paul (Exequiel Palacios 65), Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister (Leandro Paredes 66) - Lionel Messi (captain), Lautaro Martínez (Nicolás Paz 73), Julián Álvarez (Thiago Almada 65). Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Bolivia – Guillermo Viscarra (captain) - Luis Haquin, Marcelo Suárez, Miguel Terceros (Lucas Chávez 67), José Manuel Sagredo, Ramiro Vaca - Gabriel Villamil, Robson Matheus (Adalid Terrazas 80), Carmelo Algarañaz (Enzo Monteiro 79), Diego Medina - Roberto Fernández (Luis Paz 67). Coach: Óscar Villegas.
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