ܫArgentina's Lionel Messi scores his side's sixth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A hat trick and two assists: Lionel Messi came back in style for Argentina in its 6-0 home win in a South American World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday. Messi, who missed two rounds of the competition in October due to a right ankle injury, played from start to finish on Tuesday in front of raucous fans at the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium, who chanted his name after he opened the scoring in the 19th minute. It's archrival Brazil, whose coach Dorival Júnior was under pressure earlier this month, got some relief with a convincing performance in a 4-0 home win against Peru. Argentina remained as leaders of the round-robin competition with 22 points after 10 matches, three points clear of second-place Colombia, who earlier beat Chile 4-0. Uruguay, which earlier had a goalless draw with Ecuador, and Brazil come next with 16 points.
ܫArgentina's Lionel Messi scores his side's sixth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match a♔t Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina fans celebrate their side's fifth goal against Bolivia, sco✤red by Lionel Messi, during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Lionel Messi sco♔res his side's fifth goal against Bol🔜ivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Thiago Almada celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 20𒁃26 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Lionel Messi jumps for the ball challenged by Bolivia's Carmelo Algaranaz during a World Cup 2026 qualifying 🦹soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Julian Alvar♔ez celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates after sco🍌ring his side's second goal against Bolivia during🍬 a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after missing an opportunity to score during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match agai🌄nst Bolivia at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against Bolivia duringꦚ a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in 🍸Buenos Aires, Argentina.