‘Waited a long time for this’
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to overtake Pele as the top international goalscorer in South American football history on Thursday as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in their 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Messi pounced for his 77th, 78th and 79th international goals to keep Argentina firmly on course for a place at next year's finals in Qatar against a Bolivia team languishing near the foot of the table.
The 34-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward, making his 153rd appearance for Argentina, drew level with Pele's longstanding mark of 77 goals in the 14th minute, nutmegging a defender and then curling a sublime shot past Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe.
The Argentina captain then moved one clear of Pele in the 64th minute with his second of the night, surging into the Bolivian box and playing a one-two with Lautaro Martinez before tucking away a finish from close range.
Messi completed the seventh international hat-trick of his career two minutes from time, burying a rebound from close range after a shot from the edge of the area was only parried by Lampe.
"I've waited a long time for this," an emotional Messi said afterwards.
"Now I'm going to enjoy it, it's a unique moment after waiting so long. I am very happy," he added.
On a night when Argentine fans were allowed to watch their national team for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Messi broke down in tears as he lifted the Copa America trophy at the Monumental stadium.
Argentina won the Copa America in July, their first major title in 28 years, and Messi danced with his team mates and showed off the trophy to the 21,000 supporters present. "There was no better way to celebrate than by being here," he said. "My mum is here, my siblings are in the stands. They have suffered so much and they are here celebrating. I am very happy."
The former Barcelona star's great rival Cristiano Ronaldo holds the outright record for goals scored in international football with 111 from 180 games
The win leaves the two-time World Cup winners second in South America's overall qualifying standings with 18 points from eight games, six points behind leaders Brazil, who maintained their 100 percent qualifying record on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Peru in Recife.
Messi's Paris St-Germain teammate Neymar, third on the scoring list with 69 goals, scored one and set up another for Everton Ribeiro.
The Neymar goal, tapped home five minutes before half-time after Ribeiro's shot was saved, was his 12th in World Cup qualifiers, a Brazilian record.
Neymar, however, took aim at those who criticised him despite his contribution. "I don't know what more I need to do in this shirt for the fans to respect Neymar," he said after the win in Recife. "This isn't normal. This has been happening for a long time, from you reporters, commentators, and others as well. Sometimes I don't even want to give interviews but I do my bit at important moments."
Source: www.thedailystar.net
