Messi winds back clock as Argentina, Brazil restore old order

Football heavyweights Argentina and Brazil returned to winning ways on the 10th matchday of South American World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday with emphatic victories over Bolivia and Peru, respectively, reported Xinhua.

Lionel Messi evoked memories of his prime Barcelona years as he scored three goals and set up two others in Argentina's 6-0 home win over Bolivia.

Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute when his low finish beat Guillermo Viscarra at the near post after Lautaro Martinez intercepted an errant Marcelo Suarez pass.

Messi returned the favor when he unselfishly passed to Martinez, who slotted home from close range on the counterattack.

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi was again the provider when he chipped a delightful free-kick into the path of Julian Alvarez on the stroke of halftime. The Atletico Madrid striker showed deft control before drilling his shot past Viscarra.

Argentina, who lost to Colombia and drew with Venezuela in their previous two matches, were relentless and substitute Thiago Almada made it 4-0 with a first-time effort from 15 yards after Nahuel Molina's cross.

Messi doubled his personal tally by combining with Exequiel Palacios before slicing a shot into the far corner with his weaker right foot.

The 37-year-old Inter Miami forward grabbed his 10th international hat-trick two minutes later with an 18-yard drive after a slick one-two with debutant Nico Paz.

The result at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires leaves the reigning world champions three points clear at the top of the 10-team South American zone standings. Bolivia are seventh, 10 points further back.

In Brasilia, Barcelona winger Raphinha scored twice as Brazil continued their resurgent form with a 4-0 home victory over Peru.

The hosts went ahead at Mane Garrincha stadium through Raphinha, who converted a 38th-minute spot-kick following Carlos Zambrano's hand ball.

Zambrano was also at fault when he hacked down Savinho in the area, prompting referee Esteban Ostojich to award Brazil another penalty, which Raphinha again dispatched with aplomb.

Substitute Andreas Pereira struck with an acrobatic volley to make it 3-0 before Luiz Henrique completed the rout with a low finish 16 minutes from time.

After a run of four losses in five games, Brazil have strung together two consecutive victories for the first time since September last year.

The five-time world champions are now fourth in the South American group with 16 points from 10 qualifiers, 10 points ahead of ninth-placed Peru.

Earlier, Bournemouth winger Luis Sinisterra scored one goal and set up another as Colombia cruised to a 4-0 home victory over Chile.

Davinson Sanchez gave the hosts the lead in the 34th minute at Estadio Metropolitano by heading home after James Rodriguez's corner was flicked on by Jhon Lucumi.

Luis Diaz doubled the advantage shortly after halftime as he capitalized on chaotic defending by the visitors. Benjamin Kuscevic's rushed pass out of defense was intercepted by Rodriguez and the Rayo Vallecano playmaker then squared the ball to Diaz, who swept home from 12 yards.

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran made it 3-0 when he combined with Sinisterra on the counterattack before angling a left-footed shot into the far corner.

Sinisterra, who was a 76th-minute substitute for Diaz, completed the rout in the third minute of stoppage time with a close-range finish after his initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Brayan Cortes.

In Asuncion, Antonio Sanabria scored two second-half goals as Paraguay recovered from a goal down to secure a 2-1 home victory over Venezuela.

Jon Aramburu gave the visitors the lead in the 25th minute at Estadio Defensores del Chaco with a low finish after Yeferson Soteldo's pass.

The hosts missed a chance to equalize when Julio Enciso's penalty attempt was saved by goalkeeper Rafael Romo just before halftime.

But the hosts drew level shortly after the restart through Sanabria who fired home from inside the six-yard box after combining with Junior Alonso.

Torino forward Sanabria doubled the lead with a close-range header 16 minutes from time.

In Tuesday's only other South American World Cup qualifier, Uruguay were held to a goalless home draw by Ecuador.