'I've waited a long time for this,' an emotional Messi said afterwards.
Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during a celebration after defeating Bolivia on their South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
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. The victory came just four days after Argentina were embroiled in controversy with regional rivals Brazil in Sao Paulo, with the two teams’ qualifier on Sunday abandoned after seven minutes due to a Covid-19 controversy.
Messi also might have had a second goal in the first half, linking cleverly with PSG team-mate Angel Di Maria before flashing a curling shot just wide. However the goals finally came for Messi in the second half as Argentina cruised home.
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