Albiceleste turn Bolivia into a warm‑up routine

Argentina arrived in La Paz with the swagger of a side that knows the trophy cabinet is never far away, and they left with a 4‑0 statement that made the altitude feel like a breeze. From the first touch, the ball was an extension of Messi’s left foot, and the Bolivian defence looked as surprised as a tourist who missed the last bus.

The opening salvo came after a patient build‑up that saw Lautaro Martínez slip between the lines and fire a low‑driven finish past the bewildered keeper. The goal was less a flash of brilliance than a reminder that Argentina’s front three still move like a well‑oiled machine. Di María, ever the winger with a penchant for the spectacular, added a second with a curling effort that kissed the post before finding the net – a reminder that he can still bend it like Beckham, but with Argentine flair.

Bolivia’s only response was a half‑hearted press that left gaps wider than the Andes. When they tried to regroup, Messi, now in his 200th cap, took the ball in his own half, turned, and slotted home the third – a goal that seemed to say, “You’re welcome for the lesson.” The final strike was a collective effort: a quick one‑two between Álvarez and Palermo, the latter slotting home the fourth as the Bolivian side trudged off the pitch, heads down.

Statistically, the Argentines out‑shot their opponents 18‑2, held 78% possession, and completed 92% of their passes. Bolivia’s only bright spot was a lone clearance from their centre‑back that forced a corner, but even that was swallowed by an Argentine wall that looked more like a brick fort.

What does this mean for the table? Argentina were already perched in the top three of the CONMEBOL rankings, and a clean sheet against a lower‑ranked side cements their status as the group’s benchmark. Bolivia, stuck near the bottom, will have to reassess their defensive structure if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone before the qualifiers kick off.

The takeaway is simple: Argentina reminded the world why they are the standard‑bearers of South American football, while Bolivia learned that a friendly can feel a lot like a rehearsal for a disaster.

Player Ratings

• Lionel Messi – 8.5
• Lautaro Martínez – 8.0
• Ángel Di María – 7.5
• Emiliano Martínez (GK) – 7.0
• Joaquín Álvarez – 6.5

Bolivia

• Carlos Córdova (GK) – 5.5
• Luis Gómez (Defender) – 5.0