Messi scores three goals as Argentina wins South American World Cup qualifiers and Brazil beats Peru

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — A hat trick and two assists: Lionel Messi came back in style for Argentina in a 6-0 home win in a South American World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Messi, who missed two rounds of the competition in October due to an injury to his right ankleplayed from start to finish on Tuesday in front of loud fans at the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium, who chanted his name after he scored the opening goal in the 19th minute.

Arch-rivals Brazil, whose coach Dorival Júnior was under pressure earlier this month, got some relief with a convincing performance in a 4-0 home win over Peru.

Argentina remain top of the round-robin competition with 22 points after 10 games, three points ahead of second-placed Colombia, which previously beat Chile 4-0. Next up are Uruguay, who previously had a goalless draw with Ecuador, and Brazil with 16 points.

Based on goal difference, the Uruguayans are in third place.

Ecuador and Paraguay follow with 13 points each, but the Ecuadorians still have one win left and are in fifth place.

The six best teams in the region automatically secure a starting place for the next World Cup. The seventh-place team, currently Bolivia, will play in an international playoff for a place in the tournament in 2026.

Two more rounds of South American World Cup qualifying will take place in November.

Messi is in strong form on his return

Messi’s first goal came after a mistake by a Bolivian defender who missed a pass, allowing the 37-year-old Messi to run free and finish safely in front of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra. Messi set up Lautaro Martínez’s goal in the 42nd minute and again delivered a crucial pass to a Julián Álvarez goal in stoppage time.

Argentina appeared to slow their pace after the break but scored again in the 69th minute through Thiago Almada. The striker scored from close range after a low cross from Nahuel Molina.

Messi’s show had two great finishes from the edge of the box, the first in the 84th and the second in the 86th minute.

“We had fun, we are happy to play here in Argentina,” said Messi, who again refused to say whether he will play at the next World Cup in 2026. “This could be one of the last (games before the Argentine audience).

Bolivia, aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 30 years, remains in the race with 12 points.

Brazil re-emerges under Júnior

This month’s South American qualifying rounds were important for coach Dorival Júnior. His team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the last Copa América, struggling against rivals it used to easily beat, such as Paraguay and Venezuela.

Júnior’s chances of success seemed slim in the games against Chile and Peru as several of his regular players were injured. Goalkeeper Alisson, defender Éder Militão and striker Vinicius Júnior were all outside. But a last-minute win against the Chileans and a convincing performance against the Peruvians will bring relief to the Brazilian coach.

Raphinha scored twice from the penalty spot to give Brazil the lead in Brasilia, the first in the 38th minute and the second in the 54th minute.

Substitute Andreas Pereira let more than 60,000 fans in the National Stadium breathe a sigh of relief when he scored with a volley in the 71st minute. Another substitute, Luiz Henrique, scored for the national team for the second time in a row with a great shot from the edge of the penalty area.

“Those were two games that we controlled well,” said Raphinha. “We are far from perfect, but we are on the right track.”

Chile is in last place

Chile’s defeat against Colombia puts coach Ricardo Gareca’s job at risk. Davinson Sánchez, Luis Díaz, Jhon Durán and Luis Sinistierra scored the goals for Colombia. Chile is in last place in the qualifying group with just five points.

Paraguay beat Venezuela 2-1 and advanced to qualification in the overall ranking. Jon Aramburo opened the scoring for the visitors in the 25th minute, but substitute striker Antonio Sarabia gave the hosts the winner with goals in the 59th and 74th minutes.

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Savarese reported from Sao Paulo

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AP Football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer