Copa America 2021: Record breaking Lionel Messi scores a brace as Argentina thrashes Bolivia 4-1 to top group

Lionel Messi scored twice against Bolivia in Copa America 2021 Group A fixture at Cuiaba on Monday night. Image: Twitter

Xtra Time Web Desk: Lionel Messi scored twice and one assist as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 4-1 in Copa America 2021 Group A fixture at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. Messi set a unique milestone of becoming the most capped player for his country with 148 matches. Papu Gomez and Lautaro Martinez also got on the scoresheet. Erwin Saavedra scored the only goal for Bolivia. The win saw Albiceleste remain on top of Group A with 10 points from four games, while Uruguay beat Paraguay to finish second with seven points. Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile are the four teams that qualified for the quarter finals from Group A.

Argentina took the lead in the 5th minute of the match. Angel Correa ran towards the middle playing a pass onto Messi. The talisman played an accurate chip over the Bolivian back line onto Papu Gomez who made no mistake putting the ball behind the net.

Argentina extended the lead in the 34th minute as Papu Gomez was tripped inside the box. Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the match from a penalty. The Argentine legend showed his class when he chipped the ball over the rushing Bolivian goalkeeper to give his team a 3-0 lead in the 41st minute.

The second half saw Bolivia pull one back as Lisandro Martinez over committed and was caught out of position. A low pass into the penalty area and the strike would beat Franco Armani.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez scored the fourth goal for Argentina in the 61st minute. Messi started the play as he passed the ball wide to Acuna. His pass into the penalty area would find Julian Alvarez as his effort was blocked. Lautaro scored from the rebound.

Argentina will play Ecuador in the quarter finals on Saturday.