<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/messi-nets-brace-as-inter-miami-clinch-shield-23405165" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>Lionel Messi</strong></a> struck a vintage hat-trick as world champions Argentina romped to a 6-0 win over Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.</p>
<p><strong>Clinical finishes</strong></p>
<p>The 37-year-old provided an emphatic reminder of his enduring quality with three clinical finishes, two assists and some of his trademark creativity throughout the game as Lionel Scaloni&rsquo;s side dominated.&nbsp;The eight-time Ballon d&rsquo;Or winner opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez was robbed by Lautaro Martinez, who sent Messi clear and he cleverly slotted into the bottom corner.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/cant-take-pak-lightly-ashalata-23412431" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Can&rsquo;t take Pak lightly: Ashalata</a></strong></p>
<p>The home crowd at Buenos Aires&rsquo;s Monumental Stadium were on their feet again in the 43rd minute when Julian Alvarez threaded a brilliant pass through to Messi, who unselfishly squared the ball to Martinez to finish.&nbsp;Three minutes later, Alvarez was on target himself when Bolivia were caught sleeping at a free-kick, Messi chipping the ball over the top and the Atletico Madrid forward slotted home.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After the break, Nicolas Otamendi had a header ruled out for offside but the home fans didn&rsquo;t have long to wait for the fourth when Thiago Almada side-footed home after a superb pull-back from Nahuel Molina. A classic Messi goal made it 5-0 in the 84th &mdash; the Inter Miami forward dribbling centrally before switching from his left foot to his right and burying the ball into the bottom corner.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Fans in tears</strong></p>
<p>Two minutes later and some fans were in tears after Messi cut in from the right, played a smart wall pass off substitute Nico Paz and again put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra. <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/argentina-held-11-bolivia-stun-colombia-23409675" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>Argentina</strong></a> are top of the 10-team table with 22 points from 10 games &mdash; three points clear of second-place Colombia, who crushed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Brazil continued to ease any concerns about their qualification chances with a comfortable 4-0 win over Peru in Brasilia. A pair of penalties converted by Barcelona winger Raphinha put the record five-time World Cup winners on their way.</p>
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Star forward Lionel rules the day with stellar hat-trick and two assists as reigning champs Argentina destroy Bolivia 6-0; Brazil, Colombia win 4-0

It’s all about Messi

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