Argentina vs Bolivia – Match preview and team news

As Argentina prepares to host Bolivia in their inaugural friendly during the upcoming international break, the spotlight falls on a host of key personnel. Lionel Messi will not feature in the match against Bolivia, as the footballing icon steps aside for a farewell game on October 6. Consequently, the legendary No. 10 jersey remains unclaimed for this encounter. Argentina will take on Bolivia at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Ciudad de Córdoba, with the clash set to commence at midnight UK time on Thursday, 1st October.

Cristian Romero has been appointed as the new captain of Argentina's experimental lineup for this fixture, signaling the dawn of a new era without Messi's influence. The absence of several key players, including Juan Foyth, Thiago Almada, Nicolás Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso, has led to a series of squad adjustments. Coach Lionel Scaloni will be testing out new tactics, notably by pitting strikers Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez against each other in a formation that hasn't been explored before.

The Bolivian side, under the guidance of Oscar Villegas, will implement a defensive strategy that emphasizes a robust backline to absorb pressure from the world champions. The starting goalkeeper for Bolivia will likely be Guillermo Viscarra, with veteran Luis Haquín serving as the captain in defense. In midfield, the role of Gabriel Villamíl and Miguel Terceros will be crucial for disrupting Argentina's ball movement and setting up counter-attacks.

Bruno Miranda, as Bolivia's lone striker, will be tasked with breaking down the defensive structure set up by Villegas.

Argentina enters this friendly with a strong record, having recently defeated top-tier opponents such as England (2-1), Switzerland (3-1), and Egypt (3-2) during the 2026 World Cup. The team stands tall with eight wins out of their last nine matches, showing a propensity for high-scoring encounters. On the other hand, Bolivia has found themselves in a precarious position, suffering four consecutive losses, including a heavy defeat to Paraguay in their latest friendly match.

Despite these struggles, the Bolivian team remains determined and will be looking to regroup for future competitions.