Football legend, the Argentinian was once again decisive with the selection against Bolivia (6-0) Tuesday evening in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Stainless. Lionel Messi, in great form, scored a hat-trick, accompanied by two assists, on Tuesday in Buenos Aires, establishing himself as the main architect of Argentina’s big victory against Bolivia 6-0, in qualifying for the World Cup. 2026 (Amsud zone).
The 2022 world champion struck three times (19th, 84th, 86th) and delivered two offerings to Lautaro Martinez (43rd) then to Julian Alvarez (45+3), facing the Bolivians largely deprived of the ball and not very dangerous.
Recently returning from a two-month break due to injury, the former FC Barcelona legend, 37, who plays for Inter Miami, signed a double in MLS at the beginning of October, where he has 17 goals scored and 15 assists this season.
Agustin Marcarian / REUTERS
After 10 days (out of 18), the Albiceleste is still in the lead (22 points) in the Amsud zone qualifications for the 2026 World Cup organized by the United States, Canada and Mexico, three steps ahead of Colombia, which won 4-0 against Chile on Tuesday.
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Brazil, which also won 4-0 against Peru, thanks in particular to a double on penalties from Raphinha, occupies 4th place, tied on points (16) with Uruguay (3rd).
Marcelo Bielsa heavily criticized in Uruguay
In Montevideo, the Uruguayan selection, coached by former Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa, could not do better than a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. Target of recent criticism from Luis Suarez, who ended his international career last month, Bielsa admitted that Celeste was going through a difficult time after this draw which followed a 1-0 defeat in Peru. However, he refused to link it to the criticism of the former FC Barcelona striker.
“I’m not ignoring the context but, in my opinion, if you tell me ‘you haven’t managed to play well because of the episodes you’ve experienced’, I’ll tell you ‘No’. It had no influence.”Bielsa said.
At the helm of Uruguay since May 2023, the Argentine technician, however, expressed his self-criticism. “I’ll be sincere, the fact is that Uruguay, from my point of view, have better players than the opponents they failed to beat. And when a team that has better players doesn’t win, then you always have to turn to the person who manages that squad.”he estimated.
