World Cup Qualifying - South America
ArgentinaArgentina3BoliviaBolivia0

Lionel Messi breaks Pele's international goal record with hat-trick

Lionel Messi and other Argentina players celebrate with the Copa America trophy
Argentina belatedly celebrated July's Copa America win with 20,000 home fans after beating Bolivia

Lionel Messi has overtaken Pele as the leading South American men's goalscorer in international matches with a hat-trick in Argentina's World Cup qualifier win against Bolivia.

Scoring all the goals in the 3-0 win in Buenos Aires brought Messi's total for Argentina to 79 in 153 games.

Brazil legend Pele finished his career on 77 international goals in 92 games.

Messi's 14th-minute goal from outside the box put him level with Pele and he broke the record in the second half.

The 34-year-old dribbled past a defender for his second goal before completing a hat-trick from a rebound two minutes before full-time.

After the match, Argentina captain Messi and his team-mates celebrated with the Copa America trophy in front of 20,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium.

He led the side to that title, his first major trophy in international football, in July, beating Brazil in the final.

"I dreamed about this day a lot and thanks to God it arrived," Messi wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of the team with the trophy after the match.

"I don't have words to thank you for all the love I've received. What a beautiful night, I enjoyed it so much - unforgettable."

Messi's 29-year-old Paris St Germain team-mate Neymar has scored 69 goals in 113 appearances for Brazil.

Argentina are second to Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifying table after winning five and drawing three games.

Marta holds the record for most goal scored by a South American player, having notched 109 for Brazil's women's team.

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Friday 10th September 2021

  • BrazilBrazil2PeruPeru0

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Brazil88001921724
2Argentina8530156918
3Uruguay94321310315
4Ecuador94141611513
5Colombia93421616013
6Paraguay9252911-211
7Peru9225817-98
8Chile9144912-37
9Bolivia91351222-106
10Venezuela9117515-104
View full World Cup Qualifying - South America table