Lionel Messi put on a show as Argentina bounced back to winning ways in the semifinals of FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying. Notably, 37-year-old Messi clinched his 10th international hat-trick and had two assists as well, which greatly helped his team to an easy 6-0 win over Bolivia.
Messi handed in the game of a lifetime for La Albiceleste, who had earned just one point from its past two matches. He scored smartly past a sprawling Guillermo Viscarra at the near post, and his other two strikes as the lone attacker released El Monumental.
Argentina have 22 points from 10 run-outs and is almost assured of qualification to a 14th consecutive World Cup.
Argentina remained three points clear of second-place Colombia, who thrashed cellar dwellers Chile 4-0. Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez were out of this world for Los Cafeteros, while 20-year-old sensation Jhon Duran made his way off the bench to further fuel the hype.
Colombia took a massive step towards returning to the World Cup finals as they dominated and defeated La Roja. James Rodriguez and Luiz Diaz were the shining lights for Nestor Lorenzo's team, and 20-year-old sensation Duran impressed after coming on at half-time.
Davinson Sanchez really got the ball rolling in Barranquilla, inadvertently diverting home a Jhon Lucimi header. Diaz made it two after Rodriguez capitalised upon some dreadful defending to tee him up, before Duran's emphatic finish and a late fourth from Luis Sinisterra completed a one-sided victory.
The result took Colombia level on points with section leaders Argentina – at least temporarily – and left Chile bottom, with only five points from 10 games, and winless in seven qualifiers.
Brazil won 4-0 at the Mane Garrincha Stadium with Raphinha getting two, Andreas Pereira, and Luiz Henrique being on target.
Igor Jesus cuts the figure, behind him Raphinha, Rodrygo, and Savinho wowed with their skills, and on the bench to provide scores were Andreas Pereira and Luiz Henrique.
Brazil were low on confidence and without Vinicius Junior headed into the October preliminaries. They're now four clear of seventh-placed Bolivia.
Brazil are now level on points with third-placed Uruguay. They play them again in November, against Venezuela, away, first. Then in Salvador, they will take on Uruguay.
Read also| I Haven't Set a Deadline for My Future; I Want to Enjoy It All, Messi
