Argentina vs Bolivia highlights, ARG 6-0 BOL, FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Messi bags hat-trick and two assists as the Albiceleste reign supreme

A Lionel Messi masterclass - The Argentine captain finishes the game with a hat-trick and two assists as Argentina beats Bolivia 6-0 in this FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier. It stays top of the table with 22 points. 

Two minutes added at the end of the second-half!

Messi combines with Nico Paz this time as the latter rolls the ball to his captain at the edge of the box. Messi has a look and spots his opening to go for the curler and rattle the bottom-left corner of the net. Chants of ‘Messi Messi’ reverberates across the Estadio Mâs Monumental.

Messi gets the ball in the final third and makes one of his trademark runs, carrying the ball in the box. Once inside, he decides to shoot with his weaker right foot but his shot has enough power. Viscarra gets a touch but it is not enough to keep the ball from rattling the net. 

BOL subs: IN- Terrazas, Monteiro OUT- Matheus, Algaranaz 

Bolivia booking: Algaranaz sees a yellow card for his late challenge on Paredes. 

Paredes lobs the ball forward as Messi makes a run to collect the ball but this time, the Bolivian defence manages to get the ball away. 

ARG subs: IN- Martinez, Nico Paz OUT - Otamendi, Lautaro 

Paredes shows good vision to spot Molina making a run down the right flank. Molina follows the ball and puts in a wonderful first-time cross in the middle of the box, which id finished by Almada with a first-time finish. An excellent team goal by Argentina for its fourth in the match. 

BOL subs: IN- Chavez, Paz OUT- Terceros, Fernandez

Messi tracks Enzo’s run at the far-post and delivers an excellent cross towards him. Enzo, however, fails to make any contact with the ball as it goes out for a Bolivia goalkick. 

ARG subs: IN- Paredes, Almada, Palacios OUT- Mac Allister, Alvarez, De Paul 

Argentina trying to split the Bolivian defence with some snappy one-touch football. Trailing 3-0, the Bolivians are not getting any outlets to try and mount a comeback. 

De Paul’s corner finds Alvarez in the middle but the latter could not keep his header down as the ball goes out of play for a Bolivia goalkick. 

Mac Allister blasts one from inside the box and he catches the shot well. Viscarra, however, reacts well and dives to stop the shot from rattling the net. 

Bolivia enjoys a spell of rare pressure around the Argentina penalty area. Vaca finds an opening and shoots from distance only to see his effort blocked. The Argentina backline hasn’t had much to do today but has been on top when required. 

VAR has a long look and Otamendi will not get his goal. Tagliafico was in an offside position when Otamendi headed in Alvarez’s cross and the former is adjudged to have interfered with the course of play. A lovely attacking move by the world champion nonetheless. 

Otamendi finishes an excellent Argentina attacking move by heading the ball inside the net from Alvarez’s cross but the goal is ruled out as the assistant referee raises his flag for offside. The replay shows that Otamendi was perfectly onside when the cross came in but Tagliafico’s position is being checked. The question remains whether Tagliafico interfered with the play or not. VAR is having a lengthy look at this one. 

No half-time changes to report from either side. 

Argentina leads Bolivia 3-0 as the second half of this FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier gets underway at the Estadio Mâs Monumental (River Plate Stadium) in Buenos Aires

It has been all Lionel Messi in the first-half. After scoring the opener, he assisted Lautaro and Alvarez for Argentina’s second and third as Scaloni’s men enjoy a 3-0 lead against Bolivia at the break. 

Another Messi masterclass as he spots Alvarez’s run and delivers a pinpoint dink to find the latter inside the box. Alvarez enjoys a share of fortune to bring the ball down with his first touch and then slots the ball past Viscarra for Argentina’s third. The Albiceleste are well and truly in control at the moment. 

Two minutes added at the end of the first-half!

Alvarez finds Messi with an excellent defence-splitting through ball, with the Argentina captain timing his run to perfection to stay onside. One-on-one with the keeper, Messi unselfishly squares the ball to Lautaro, who slots the ball inside the open net. 

Argentina is not giving any space to the Bolivians and is keeping a tight midfield. Scaloni’s men are desperate for a second before the half-time whistle. 

Messi has another chance to score from a freekick. It is almost in the same area. This time, he beats the wall but Viscarra makes an amazing save to prevent Messi’s second in the match. He has hurt himself in the process but should be okay to continue. 

Messi fails to clear the wall as the ball takes a deflection and goes out for a corner. Messi will immediately head over to the corner flag to take the set-piece. 

Lautaro is fouled near the Bolivia penalty area and Argentina has a freekick in a dangerous position. This area is right in Messi’s danger zone and he is the one standing over the ball. 

Messi delivers a dangerous cross inside the box from an Argentina freekick. For Bolivia, there was a risk of the ball taking a touch from any player and ending up at the back of the net, but the away team enjoys a stroke of luck as the ball goes straight to Viscarra. 

Messi is at the end of a heavy studs-up challenge and there is a moment of tension as he remains on the ground. However, he takes his time and gets back up and will be ready to continue. 

The Bolivia backline succumbs under the Argentine pressure. Lautaro Martinez pressurizes Suarez into losing the ball, allowing Messi to make a clear run at goal. Once inside the box and one-one-one with the keeper, the Argentine captain keeps his calm to slot the ball inside the net. 

Argentina gets a freekick and Messi stands over the ball. It is an ambitious distance, which prompts Messi from going against a direct shot. He crosses inside the box, and Tagliafico heads the ball towards the near post. However, the header is weak and Viscarra collects. 

Messi and Alvarez link-up as the former passes the ball to the latter inside the box. Alvarez cuts in and tries to curl the ball towards the far-corner but fails to get the desired bend. Viscarra does well to get down quickly and collect the ball. He also holds on to it to prevent the rebound. 

Tagliafico finds excellent vision to find Messi inside the box with a defence-splitting pass but the Argentine captain fails to control the ball as it goes out of play. 

Bolivia with its first attack of the game - Suarez’s cross inside the box finds the head of Algaranaz. However, the header lacks power and Rulli collects the ball with ease. 

Messi gets the ball at the edge of the Bolivia box and dinks the ball to Alvarez, who had made a run inside the box. However, the Atletico Madrid forward fails to keep the ball in play as Bolivia gets a chance to release some pressure in the form of a goalkick. 

It has been all Argentina in the opening minutes of the game as Bolivia pushes players back to defend the surge of attacking moves.

Argentina is enjoying a lot of early possession in the Bolivia half but has not been able to carve out a chance yet. The Bolivians keeping a compact defence early in the clash. 

The first-half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between Argentina and Bolivia is underway at the Estadio Mâs Monumental (River Plate Stadium) in Buenos Aires

Played: 43

Argentina: 31

Draws: 5

Bolivia: 7

Viscarra(GK), Sagredo, Fernandez, Villamil, Matheus, Algaranaz, Vaca, Miguelito, Suarez, Haquin, Medina.

Rulli(GK); Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Lo Celso; La Martinez, Alvarez, Messi.

Argentina tops the standings but is under a little pressure when it welcomes Bolivia in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The Argentines have taken just one point from their last two qualifiers - a 2-1 defeat at Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Venezuela.

Defender Cristian Romero will replace German Pezzella after serving a suspension. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who did not play against Venezuela, is a likely replacement for Thiago Almada. And striker Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez are in contention for the starting lineup.

Bolivia has a different attitude than the team which succumbed to Argentina 3-0 in La Paz at the start of qualifying a year ago.

Under new coach Óscar Villegas and following the move to Estadio Municipal in El Alto, 4,150 meters above sea level, Bolivia has won three consecutive matches in qualifying against Venezuela, Chile, and Colombia.

Bolivia has risen to fifth place, inside the top six positions that directly qualify for the World Cup. The Bolivians last qualified for the World Cup in 1994.

When will the Argentina vs Bolivia FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match kick off?

The Argentina vs Bolivia FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifying match will kick off at 5:30 AM IST on October 16, Wednesday at the Estadio Mâs Monumental (River Plate Stadium) in Buenos Aires.

Where to watch the Argentina vs Bolivia FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match?

The Argentina vs Bolivia FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifying match will not be available for telecast in India. The match can be streamed live on the Fancode app and website. 

You can also follow Sportstar’s live blog of the game for updates.