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       lite.cnn.com - on gopher - inofficial
       
       
       ARTICLE VIEW: 
       
       /
       
       Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick record after
       vintage performance for Argentina
       
       By Ben Church, CNN
       
       Updated: 
       
       4:36 AM EDT, Wed October 16, 2024
       
       Source: CNN
       
       rolled back the years with a vintage for Argentina on Tuesday, scoring
       three goals in his nation’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia in a 2026 World
       Cup qualifier.
       
       It was the 37-year-old’s 10th international hat-trick, a tally which
       draws him level with Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in men’s soccer.
       
       “It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the
       people, it moves me how they shout my name,” Messi said after
       providing an unforgettable performance at the Estadio Monumental in
       Buenos Aires.
       
       “This drives me. Enjoying being happy where I am. Despite my age,
       when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I’m comfortable with this
       team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want,
       I’ll keep enjoying it.”
       
       As well as scoring three goals, the Inter Miami forward also provided
       two assists as the reigning world champion eased to victory.
       
       It was Messi who got the party started, capitalizing on a defensive
       error to put his country ahead after 19 minutes.
       
       He then had a hand in the second goal when he unselfishly teed up
       Lautaro Martínez who was able to tap the ball into an empty net in the
       43rd minute.
       
       There was still time for Argentina to extend its lead before the break
       and it was Messi who once again provided a moment of magic. The
       attacker produced an inch-perfect pass from a quick free kick to find
       Julián Álvarez, who was able to bring the ball under control and
       bounce it over the onrushing goalkeeper.
       
       It was more of the same in the second half and Thiago Almada made it
       4-0 in the 69th minute, finishing off a flowing move from the host.
       
       The former Barcelona superstar then whipped the home crowd into a
       frenzy with two quick goals before the final whistle.
       
       The first was trademark Messi, with the eight-time Balon d’Or winner
       running directly at the Bolivian defense before beating one man and
       directing a low shot underneath the goalkeeper. It was a goal
       reminiscent of his time with the Blaugrana where he was simply
       unstoppable for a number of years.
       
       But Messi wasn’t finished. Moments later, the forward picked the ball
       up on the edge of the box before curling a left-footed shot into the
       bottom corner of the net to make it 6-0.
       
       The Argentina captain wore a massive grin on his face as fans inside
       the stadium chanted his name.
       
       Messi was making just his second appearance for his country since July
       after overcoming an ankle injury.
       
       The Albiceleste drew with Venezuela last week and lost to Colombia in
       September but still sits top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table
       on 22 points. The squad plays Paraguay in its next qualifier game on
       November 14.
       
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