Lionel Messi contributes 5 goals in Argentina’s impressive 6-0 win

In Tuesday's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match, world champion Argentina easily defeated Bolivia 6-0, led by Lionel Messi's historic hat trick. As Lionel Scaloni's team dominated, the 37-year-old gave a clear reminder of his lasting talent with three precise finishes, two assists, and some of his signature inventiveness throughout the match.

After Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez had been taken away by Lautaro Martinez, Messi was sent clear and he skillfully tapped into the bottom corner to give the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner the lead in the 19th minute.

In the 43rd minute, Julian Alvarez threaded a fantastic pass through to Messi, who selflessly handed the ball to Lautaro Martinez to finish, putting the home crowd at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires back on their feet.

Three minutes later, Bolivia was caught dozing off during a free-kick, and Alvarez was on goal. After Messi lobbed the ball over the top, the forward for Atletico Madrid scored. Nicolas Otamendi's header was disallowed for offside after the interval, but the home crowd didn't have to wait long for the fourth goal, which Thiago Almada tapped home following an incredible pull-back by Nahuel Molina.

The Inter Miami winger dribbled center, then changed using his left foot onto his right and buried the ball towards the bottom corner to make it 5-0 during the 84th minute with a typical Messi goal.

Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s International hat-trick record

After Messi cut inside from the right, played a clever wall pass via substitute Nico Paz, and then once more placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra's reach two minutes later, some supporters started crying. With 22 points after 10 games, Argentina leads the 10-team table by three points above Colombia, which is in second position.

Messi tied Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible record for the most international hat-tricks with this one. Messi and Ronaldo now have ten hat-tricks apiece, followed by Ali Daei of Iran with nine.