Xtra Time Web Desk: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi on Thursday scored a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia on Thursday. In doing so, the talisman overtook Brazilian football legend Pele as South America’s top international scorer with 79 goals. Pele has scored 77 goals for Brazil.
Messi got the opener after 14 minutes in Buenos Aires, dancing around the Bolivian defence before curling the ball into the net from just outside the box. He made it 2-0 in the 64th minute after working a one-two with Lautaro Martinez and displaying superb footwork in a packed penalty box. The Argentina captain completed the hat-trick with two minutes left, crashing home a rebound from close range. It was his seventh hat-trick for the national side and took him two above Pele in the South American scoring charts.
Meanwhile leaders Brazil counted on Neymar to secure its eighth win in eight matches, an easy 2-0 victory over Peru on Thursday.
Brazil has 24 points and second-place Argentina 18, both with eight matches played, one less that the other rivals after their superclasico on Sunday was suspended due to COVID-19 protocols. FIFA has yet to decide whether that match will be replayed.