Lionel Messi and Argentina are on the precipice of 2026 World Cup qualification after hanging six goals on previously red-hot Bolivia in a clean sheet win in Buenos Aires late Tuesday evening.
Messi scored a hat trick and set up Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez for goals in the win, while Thiago Almada also scored for Argentina.
Lionel Scaloni’s men are atop the CONMEBOL table with 22 points from nine fixtures, eight clear of the seventh-place playoff spot.
Bolivia were flying, winners of three-straight qualifiers including a stunning 1-0 win of Colombia in El Alto on Thursday. Santos starlet Miguel Terceros had scored in all three of those wins, but Bolivia managed just four shot attempts and 28% possession on the night.
Lionel Messi highlights in Argentina 6-0 Bolivia
🔥 ¡MESSI, MESSI, MESSI, SIEMPRE MESSI!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) October 16, 2024
⚽️ 110 goles con la albiceleste y pone arriba a su equipo 👏
🇦🇷 #Argentina 1-0 #Bolivia 🇧🇴
📺📱 EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/v8GxDL2T2P#RumboAlMundial #MundialTelemundo #EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/ktVlSTFL3l
🤩 ¡DOBLETE DE LIONEL MESSI!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) October 16, 2024
Otro gol para Leo en la noche, ¡EL MVP DEL PARTIDO! 🔥
🇦🇷 #Argentina 5-0 #Bolivia 🇧🇴
📺📱 EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/v8GxDL2T2P#RumboAlMundial #MundialTelemundo #EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/R6KJvcruAW
⚽️⚽️⚽️ ¡HAT-TRICK DE LEO MESSI!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) October 16, 2024
Otra vez Lionel, tres goles y dos asistencias en la noche 😍
🇦🇷 #Argentina 6-0 #Bolivia 🇧🇴
📺📱 EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/v8GxDL2T2P#RumboAlMundial #MundialTelemundo #EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/qrFhjwqlbr
How to watch Argentina vs Bolivia live, stream link, TV channel and start time
Kick off time: 8pm ET - Tuesday, October 15
Venue: Estadio Monumental — Buenos Aires
TV Channel: Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC Universo en Espanol
Will Lionel Messi play for Argentina vs Bolivia?
It has been reported by TyC Sports that Lionel Messi will start the game in Buenos Aires.
If Messi does start against Bolivia, it will be the first time he has played a game in Argentina since November 2023.
Messi recently made his comeback for MLS Supporters’ Shield champions Inter Miami after a long spell out through injury after recovering from a busy summer with Argentina at Copa America in the USA.
Argentina team news, focus
Argentina drew Venezuela in Maturin last time out via after Nicolas Otamendi’s goal was offset when Salomon Rondon scored for La Vinotinto (Yes, it’s 2024), Three very young players are in the squad as Como forward Nico Paz, Leicester City’s Facundo Buonanotte, and Lanus defender Julio Soler enter the fold. Only Buonanotte has been capped (two).
Bolivia team news, focus
Terceros has been a leading light on this lesser-known side, but there’s quality in all phases of the game. Luis Haquin’s side is heavily-domestic and very familiar with each other, although there’s a good deal of youth in the squad as well.
Argentina vs Bolivia prediction
Surely not? A reality check for Bolivia awaits in Buenos Aires. If it doesn’t, well, then the Bolivians will be well on their way to a surprise World Cup bid, because points in Argentina are a big ask for anyone. Argentina 3-1 Bolivia,
