Argentina ease past Bolivia 4-0 in first match since World Cup final defeat

Argentina began life after their World Cup final defeat with a convincing 4-0 win over Bolivia at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium.

The result extended Argentina’s outstanding recent run to 15 victories in their past 16 international matches. It also marked the first of two friendlies before their attention turns to the much-anticipated meeting with Benin on 6 October, when Lionel Messi is expected to make his final international appearance.

Lautaro Martinez wasted little time in strengthening his case for a starting role in the period after Messi, opening the scoring in the 19th minute.

Before the match, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had confirmed that nobody would wear the number 10 shirt until Messi’s farewell game. Como midfielder Nico Paz is among those regarded as a leading candidate to succeed Argentina’s captain in the future.

Paz offered a glimpse of his potential before the half-hour mark. After receiving a through ball from Ezequiel Palacios, the Como player ran clear of the Bolivia defence and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Viscarra to score Argentina’s second goal in the 29th minute.

Just nine minutes into the second half, Paz turned provider. His floated free-kick found Christian Romero, who headed the ball into the net via the post in the 54th minute.

Romero, listed as an Atletico Madrid player, wore the captain’s armband as Argentina’s new leader. The goal was Paz’s final contribution of the evening, with Scaloni taking him off as part of a triple substitution.

Argentina’s rhythm was affected slightly by the changes, but they remained in control and added a fourth goal in the closing stages. Flaco Lopez scored in the 86th minute to claim his first goal for the national team.

Lopez had already found the net a few minutes earlier, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The substitute then battled to win possession inside the penalty area before finishing into the net.

The victory was Argentina’s fourth in a row against Bolivia without conceding a goal. Bolivia, meanwhile, suffered a fifth consecutive defeat and will attempt to end that run in their next match against Gambia.

Argentina now have only one match remaining before an eagerly anticipated night in which Messi will be given his international farewell, following a distinguished career filled with achievements and trophies.