Messi snatches Pele’s record in Argentina victoryAFP, BUENOS AIRESLionel Messi scored a hat-trick on Thursday to overtake Pele as the top international goalscorer in South American history as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Messi pounced for his 77th, 78th and 79th international goals to keep Argentina firmly on course for a place at next year’s finals in Qatar against a Bolivia team languishing near the foot of the qualifying table. Argentina’s Lionel Messi, center, controls the ball against Bolivia in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday. I am very happy.”Brazil’s Neymar, left, scores against Peru in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on Thursday. Brazil have now won all eight of their World Cup qualifying games and have 24 points.

Source: Taipei Times September 10, 2021 15:56 UTC