Lionel Messi puts on a masterclass as Argentina romps to a 6-0 win against Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. The club’s legendary frontman completed a treble and cemented his iconic status in the pantheon of football all-time greats. Not only was this a sight to see from Messi, but it also showcased just how far ahead Argentina is of the rest of South America.
A Night to Remember
The game was held at El Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires and fans turned out en masse to back their team. For the World Cup qualifiers, Argentina needed to score some much-needed points on a charged night. The Argentine squad played with something between a spring in its step and vengeance on the mind from the first whistle.
First Half: A Flurry of Goals
Argentina The first half was indicative of what the match would bring: Argentina got out to a quick start and took control. Messi broke the ice just 10 minutes in, firing a free-kick past the Bolivian netminder with aplomb. The spanking effort was smashed straight over the wall, and nestled in the top corner with venom, which set not only a significant advantage for The Citizens but more importantly his intent against our guests.
Minutes later, in the 22nd minute, Lautaro scored a placed shot into goal having feasted on another Messi assist that had opened up play for him. Martínez’s goal was indicative of the relationship he has quickly struck up with Messi, as both combined well all game.
He added more magic as the half wore on. He then scored for the second time in stoppage time from another swift break to make it 3-0 (45+2). Bolivia still struggled to find their footing after Messi’s second goal of the night.
Goal! Second-half: Messi Hat-Trick
The Argentines showed no signs of easing off in the second half, with Messi keen to add a couple more goals. He completed his treble with a fine solo goal just five minutes after the interval. Receiving the ball deep within his half, Messi danced past Bolivian defenders in a thrilling marauding dribble before slotting home into an empty net. It was typical of Messi to score, just when Barca needed it most in the competition Getty Images Highlighting how he remains an influential performer on any stage.
The longer the match went on, Argentina loomed more and more of a threat. Argentina bundled in its fifth goal with 20 minutes to go, courtesy of a thumping header by Nicolás González from a corner kick that highlighted the team’s aerial dominance. The 6-0 rout was completed when Ángel Di María curled his shot into the far corner from just inside the box minutes later.
Analyzing the Performance
Argentina excelled with a free-flowing attack, combining quick passes and relentless pressure. The coordination of the team was evident as they continued to probe holes in the Bolivian defense. Crucial, because Messi’s continued ability to create and combine with his team-mates has reaffirmed he is the lifeblood of this Argentine unit.
Bolivia, on the other hand, struggled to get going. It was a match where they had to wrestle their way through the flowy hair of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, where keeping hold of possession was no easy task, as defending against quick counterattacks on both sides was fraught with great difficulty A failure in cohesion and organization at the back would unfortunately exploit them, engulfed by an Argentine offensive rampage.
The Road Ahead
This win also means Argentina make a big step towards booking their place at the World Cup next summer. This has left the team with confidence, and fans excited for more potential upsets as they move through to later qualifiers. Messi’s hat-trick shines a light on his single genius but speaks to the strength of Barça as an ensemble.
Regardless of the pool, their next game is going to be extremely crucial for Argentina in maintaining that level of momentum. But with all of that plus key players morphing into great leaders beside Messi, this side looks capable of fighting for the first classified place in these qualifiers. It will be interesting to see what this talented team can do in the other games of MGL.O’s phase 2 line-up.
Argentina 6-0 Bolivia: Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick. The age-defying Lionel Messi remains an essential force in world football. It was a reminder of what Argentina can be, and the hopes they have of winning their 3rd World Cup. Under the leadership of Messi, this team has no specific set point where it reaches its ceiling.
For all the latest news from Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers, player performances and match analysis follow Newspoint48.
