Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat trick to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in a dominant performance as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in the South America World Cup qualifying.

Messi, who was playing in his only second game back from an injury lay-off, showed why he remains one of the best strikers in the world in scoring the opening and closing goals of an exciting night in Argentina.

The inter-Miami star capitalised on a defensive turnover outside the box before, rushing unchallenged inside the 18 yards and slotting past the keeper to make it 1-0 before assisting Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez in the 43rd and extra time to triple their advantage going into the break.

Messi added Argentina’s fifth after single handled taking on the Bolivian defence at the top of the box before launching a powerful volley in the 84th minute after Thiago Almada netted their fourth 20 minutes prior.

The World Cup winner then completed a record-equalling hattrick in the 86th minute for Argentina’s sixth goal to secure the victory as they maintained their lead atop South American qualifying.