Argentina - Bolivia live online updates, score and stats | CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers
Argentina - Bolivia: Live updates
Bolivia get the corner kick clear and try to launch a counter-attack. There's space for Diego Medina to break but the pass is poor and Argentina regain possession.
Brilliant pass from Lionel Messi, slicing through the Bolivian defence to find Tagliafico on the left. He tries to find a teammate in the middle but it's deflected behind for a corner kick.
First sign of ambition from the visitors. Marcelo Suarez finds space on the left flank and curls in a cross onto the head of Robson Mattheus, who cranes his neck to direct it on target.
It's a good effort, but comfortably saved by Rulli.
Clumsy tackle from Molina, shoving Fernadez in the back on the halfway line.
It's been all Argentina so far. Lionel Scaloni's side look much more comfortable than they did in the waterlogged trip to Venezuela last week.
Decent opening for Argentina as Lionel Messi tries to find Julian Alvarez rushing through on goal. The pass is a little overhit and it rolls out for a Bolivia goal kick.
Cheeky nutmeg from Lionel Messi midway into the Bolivia half. He's fouled as he skips past the helpless defender, winning his team a free kick.
Huge cheers from the home crowd.
Out of possession, Messi is pushing higher up and allowing Martinez to do the running for him.
Nahuel Molina seemed to clash with goalkeeper Viscarra in that play and he's in some discomfort.
Medical staff give the full-back a quick once-over. He'll be fine to continue.
Clever ball over the Bolivia backline sets Molina racing in on goal. He does well to bring the ball down but can't find a teammate in the middle.
Good pass from De Paul to open the Bolivian defence.
Late challenge from Roberto Fernandez on Rodrigo de Paul in the middle. Referee waves play on.
Neat early touch from Lionel Messi, spinning away from a challenge in the midfield and sliding a pass through to Lautaro.
The Argentina captain appears to be starting centrally, as a No. 10.
Argentina gets things started.
The hosts take kickoff to a huge roar at Estadio Monumental.
We're nearly ready for the off.
Lionel Messi and Bolivia captain Luis Haquin shake hands and exchange pendants on the halfway line.
Argentina's World Cup heroes honoured at Estadio Monumental.
Mario Kempes. Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi.
Three names that will forever be etched into the history of Argentinian soccer, each succeeding in clinching the World Cup. Messi, now 36, is going in hunt of his second.
Team news: Argentina - Bolivia.
If you missed it earlier, here's who the two teams line up this evening.
Geronimo Rulli starts in goal for Argentina due to the suspension for Emiliano Martinez. Lionel Messi joins Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in the Argentinian frontline.
The teams are out!
The stands are packed and the players of Argentina and Bolivia take to the field in Buenos Aires.
Looks like we're going to have a rendition of 'Muchachos' from the home crowd before the anthems...
Kickoff fast approaching at Estadio Monumental.
We're only around ten minutes from the off in Buenos Aires as Argentina look to reopen a three-point gap on Venezuela at the top of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
Long-awaited return to Argentina for Lionel Messi.
The last time that Lionel Messi led Argentina out in front of a home crowd was November 17, 2023. That game finished as a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Uruguay.
Argentina will be hoping for a more successful return this evening.
River Plate hosts Argentina's Copa America heroes.
Just three months on from the Copa America triumph in the United States, Argentina are already on the hunt for a fourth consecutive international trophy. Lionel Scaloni's team are certain to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but the style in which to do so could tell us a lot about their prospects at the finals.
Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed that Geronimo Rulli is starting in goal for Argentina today, rather than the more familiar presence of Emiliano Martinez between the posts.
Here's why Martinez is absent, and when he could return for the national team...
Crowds gather in Buenos Aires.
We're expecting a capacity crowd tonight at Estadio Monumental - home of River Plate - for this World Cup qualifier. Argentina continue to sell out wherever they go and there are no shortage of soccer fans in Buenos Aires.
Bolivia arrive at Estadio Monumental.
The visitor look focused as they prepare to take on the world champions this evening. The history books certainly suggest that this is Argentina's game to lose.
La Albiceleste have won the last four times these two have met, and eight of their past nine fixtures. Bolivia have never won in Argentina.
Argentina struggled to a 1-1 draw on a flooded pitch last week. / Ronald Peña R. / EFE
Lionel Messi complained about Venezuelan conditions.
Argentina Lionel Messi was not happy that his team were forced to play in sodden conditions against Venezuela last week.
"It was very difficult, it makes for very ugly matches," Messi told Argentinian media after the game. "We could not complete two passes in a row. In the second half we did it on the right a little more, but it is difficult to play like that. Very little is played."
Messi and his teammates will have no such problems today with perfect conditions in Buenos Aires from this evening's game.
Last week's trip to Venezuela was one to forget for Argentina fans and the players will be in no rush to relive a trying game. As this video shows, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was among those feeling the strain..
Confirmed Bolivia team news.
Here's how the visitors line up tonight. La Verde go into the game as clear underdogs but they will be buoyed by recent good results.
Not only did Bolivia beat Venezuela and Colombia at home, they also secured a very rare away victory over Chile. That was just Bolivia's second away win in World Cup qualifying this century.
Elsewhere in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
The first game from South America this evening was another stunning performance from Colombia, who can stake a real claim to be one of the form teams in international soccer. Goals from Luis Diaz and John Duran helped Colombia go level with Argentina at the top of the CONMEBOL group, albeit have played one game more.
Another new signature boot for Lionel Messi.
Over the international break Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been sporting the adidas F50 Messi Triunfo Estelar, his latest collaboration with the German sportswear brand. He drew a blank in the first game against Venezuela, will he find the back of the night tonight?
Argentina have won three consecutive tournaments under Lionel Scaloni. / JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
Argentina can perform without Messi, Scaloni insists.
Speaking earlier this week Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was asked about the team's principles when Lionel Messi is not available. Scaloni admitted that Messi remains a key part of the team, but pushed back on the implication that Argentina may struggle without his generational talents.
“For the game, it's important that Messi is there because almost all of the team's attack goes through him," Scaloni said.
"In a goal-scoring play he's almost always there, but the idea of the game is always the same, whether he's there or not. We prefer him to be there, logically, but our football concept doesn't change, we already have a way of playing.”
World champions in the house.
The hosts will be heavy favourites in front of an expectant home crowd inside the Estadio Monumental. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Venezuela in their last outing, Argentina will want a return to winning ways.
Argentina team news from the Monumental.
Argentinian soccer insider Gaston Edul is on the ground in Buenos Aires, reporting the team news for La Albiceleste this evening.
It looks like Lionel Messi will start, playing just behind Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in a multi-faceted attacking trio.
We'll have full live coverage of Argentina - Bolivia right here on AS USA but you can also choose to watch the action unfold. Here's everything you need to know...
CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Here's the full slate of fixtures from CONMEBOL's World Cup qualification this evening. Already today Colombia have taken a commanding lead against Chile, continuing their impressive start to proceedings.
Argentina need a win to restore their lead at the top of the qualification group.
We're still awaiting confirmed team news from the Estadio Monumental but it looks like Argentina will go with a full-strength starting XI, with Lionel Messi as part of an exciting attacking trident.
Here's how we think Lionel Scaloni will line up...
Argentina return to home soil.
Last week's trip to Venezuela did not go as planned for the world champions.
The game was delayed by 30 minutes to allow a little extra time for the flooded pitch to drain. Conditions improved slightly but what followed was a scrappy game that ended 1-1, a key point for the hosts.
Tonight, Lionel Scaloni's men will be eager to get back to winning ways.
Argentina host Bolivia in World Cup qualifier.
Despite winning three consecutive international tournaments, this talented group of Argentinian players are showing no signs of letting up. The 2026 World Cup will surely be Lionel Messi's final bow with the national team and he and his teammates are desperate to add more silverware.
Tonight they welcome Bolivia to the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.