Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick record after vintage performance for Argentina

CNN
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Lionel Messi rolled again the years with a classic efficiency for Argentina on Tuesday, scoring three targets in his nation’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

It was the 37-year-old’s tenth worldwide hat-trick, a tally which attracts him stage with Cristiano Ronaldo’s document in males’s soccer.

“It’s very nice to return right here, to really feel the love of the folks, it strikes me how they shout my title,” Messi mentioned after offering an unforgettable efficiency on the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

“This drives me. Having fun with being comfortable the place I’m. Regardless of my age, after I’m right here, I really feel like a child as a result of I’m snug with this group. So long as I really feel good and may preserve performing the way in which I need, I’ll preserve having fun with it.”

In addition to scoring three targets, the Inter Miami ahead additionally offered two assists because the reigning world champion eased to victory.

It was Messi who acquired the occasion began, capitalizing on a defensive error to place his nation forward after 19 minutes.

He then had a hand within the second purpose when he unselfishly teed up Lautaro Martínez who was capable of faucet the ball into an empty internet within the forty third minute.

There was nonetheless time for Argentina to increase its lead earlier than the break and it was Messi who as soon as once more offered a second of magic. The attacker produced an inch-perfect go from a fast free kick to search out Julián Álvarez, who was capable of deliver the ball below management and bounce it over the onrushing goalkeeper.

It was extra of the identical within the second half and Thiago Almada made it 4-0 within the 69th minute, ending off a flowing transfer from the host.

The previous Barcelona celebrity then whipped the house crowd right into a frenzy with two fast targets earlier than the ultimate whistle.

The primary was trademark Messi, with the eight-time Balon d’Or winner working immediately on the Bolivian protection earlier than beating one man and directing a low shot beneath the goalkeeper. It was a purpose harking back to his time with the Blaugrana the place he was merely unstoppable for a variety of years.

However Messi wasn’t completed. Moments later, the ahead picked the ball up on the sting of the field earlier than curling a left-footed shot into the underside nook of the web to make it 6-0.

The Argentina captain wore an enormous grin on his face as followers contained in the stadium chanted his title.

Messi was making simply his second look for his nation since July after overcoming an ankle harm.

The Albiceleste drew with Venezuela final week and misplaced to Colombia in September however nonetheless sits high of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying desk on 22 factors. The squad performs Paraguay in its subsequent qualifier sport on November 14.