Lionel Messi netted a hat-trick and chipped in with two assists as Argentina beat Bolivia 6-0 at the Estadio Mas Monumental (River Plate Stadium) in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (October 16). The ageing superstar secured the three goals, with classic Messi-touch finishes while his two assists did no harm to his reputation as one of the finest playmakers in the history of the game.
No wonder with Messi in fine form, it was the Lionel Scaloni's side that dominated the fixture and ended up winning the match by a comfortable margin. The eight-time Ballon d'Or Winner scored the opening goal in the 19th minute of the match. The home crowd then cheered again in the 43rd minute when Julian Alvarez passed the ball to Messi who squared it to Martinez for the goal. Not much later, Alvarez scored another goal with Messi chipping the ball over the top to set up that goal.
Thiago Almada side-footed scored the fourth goal of the match for his side, the first one in the second half. It needed a typical Messi goal to make the scoreline in favour of Argentina. It was a sight to behold for sports fans as some Messi fans were visibly emotional when he found the back of the net yet again to complete a hat-trick, sealing an emphatic win for Argentina.