Lionel Messi scored in the 19th minute and delivered two assists for Argentina, while playing in his home country for the first time in nearly a year on Tuesday night.
Argentina leads Bolivia 3-0 in their World Cup qualifying match at Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.
It’s been 334 days since Messi last played in front of his most faithful fans from Argentina. The 37-year-old star only has so many more of these opportunities in his storied career.
Tuesday’s game will cap a travel-filled week for Messi with the national team before he returns to South Florida to help Inter Miami begin their playoff chase in Major League Soccer.
Follow along here for live updates from the Argentina vs. Bolivia match today:
We’ve got a rout in Argentina, and Lionel Messi’s brilliance is all over it.
Messi sent a pass into the box, and Julian Alvarez scored in extra time just before halftime (45’+3’) to give Argentina a 3-0 lead over Bolivia.
It’s the second assist for Messi, who also scored in the 19th minute to kick things off for the World Cup champions.
Lionel Messi has already scored. Now, he has an assist.
Messi charged toward the net again, but dropped off a pass to Lautaro Martinez for a goal in the 43rd minute and Argentina’s 2-0 lead over Bolivia just before halftime.
While Messi clearly had a chance to score again, he found Martinez streaking down his left side. And Martinez was inspired to point to Messi as the two celebrated the score.
Martinez was the Copa America Golden Boot winner after leading Argentina with five goals during the tournament this summer.
Messi capitalized on a loose ball after a challenge by teammate Lautaro Martínez, and charged his way to the net. The only person in his path was the Bolivian goalie. And Messi made quick work of the opportunity, finding the lower right corner of the net.
Messi stretched out his hands to the Argentine crowd, enjoying their admiration while his teammates ran to celebrate their 1-0 lead over Bolivia.
It begins at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
The match will be broadcast by NBC Universo. Streaming also available on fubo.
Yes, Messi is in the starting lineup for Argentina against Bolivia.
The odds are stacked against Bolivia in this one: Argentina is an overwhelming favorite (-1400), while Bolivia is (+2800) to win and a draw is (+1200) after regulation. The over/under on goals scored is 3.5, according to BETMGM.
The last time Messi played for Argentina in his home country wasn’t the best of outcomes.
Argentina lost 2-0 to Uruguay on Nov. 16, 2023, the club’s first lost since falling to Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the Qatar World Cup.
Losing isn’t an often occurrence for Argentina, the reigning World Cup and two-time defending Copa America champions: They’ve lost just four times in their last 67 matches they’ve played.
The Argentine national team traveled from South Florida to Colombia, then Venezuela before settling for a 1-1 draw against the Venezuelan national team last Thursday.
Argentina had a full practice Monday, after a light session on Sunday, before Tuesday’s match against Bolivia.
After the Bolivia match, Messi will return to South Florida and Inter Miami practice.
Inter Miami will play its season finale on Saturday against New England Revolution with a chance to clinch 74 points and the MLS record for points in a season.
The good news for Messi: He’ll have a week before Inter Miami begins the MLS Cup Playoffs on Oct. 25.
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