Argentina shows first hints of post-Messi era, beats Bolivia 4-0
The Albiceleste won convincingly with several key World Cup figures, alongside a crop of new names La entrada Argentina shows first hints of post-Messi era, beats Bolivia 4-0 se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
The Argentine men's national football team claimed a 4-0 victory over Bolivia on Wednesday, marking the inaugural match since former captain Lionel Messi announced his retirement. Goals were scored by Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Paz, Cristian "Cuti" Romero, who was named captain, and José López. The match, played at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba province, came after Bolivia hosted Argentina with a stadium capacity of only 50% due to FIFA-imposed sanctions for discriminatory chants and insults by Argentine spectators during the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina dominated the game from the outset, with Lautaro Martínez scoring just 19 minutes in off a pass from Alexis Mac Allister. Nicolás Paz then equalized ten minutes later with a one-on-one chance set up by Exequiel Palacios, reminiscent of Messi's style. In the second half, Romero scored from a well-executed set piece to make it 3-0, and López secured the win in the final minutes with a poke home from a loose ball.
The Albiceleste, coached by Lionel Scaloni, showcased a blend of veterans and emerging talent, with key players from the 2022 World Cup champions forming the backbone of the team. Head coach Scaloni expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing their identity and continued playing style despite Messi's absence.
The win also eased concerns about the future, as Argentina aims to replicate the success of their recent World Cup campaign.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
