October 16, (THEWILL) – Argentina’s national football team delivered a commanding performance in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match against Bolivia, claiming a resounding 6-0 victory. The match, which took place at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Mas Monumental, saw Lionel Messi lead the charge with an impressive hat-trick and two assists.
Despite a slow start, Argentina broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Messi capitalised on a defensive error, scoring his 110th international goal. The team’s dominance continued throughout the first half, with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez adding to the scoreline before the break, both assisted by Messi.
The second half mirrored the first, with Argentina maintaining control of the game. Although a goal from Nicolas Otamendi was disallowed for offside following a VAR review, substitute Thiago Almada found the net in the 70th minute. Messi then completed his hat-trick with two clinical finishes, bringing the final score to 6-0.
This victory marks Lionel Scaloni’s 61st win in 81 games as Argentina’s manager, reinforcing their position at the top of the qualifying table. The result puts Argentina three points clear of their nearest competitors, setting a strong foundation for their 2026 World Cup campaign.
Looking ahead, Argentina will face Paraguay in their next qualifier, while Bolivia, currently in the play-off position, will travel to Ecuador. Both matches are scheduled for the final international break of the calendar year, promising more exciting football action in the coming months.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
