Bolivia vs Argentina, summary: red card, Messi, score, goals & highlights | CONCACAF World Cup 2026 qualifier
Bolivia vs Argentina: as it happened
Full time report:
Who needs Messi anyway?
Well, that is about as one-sided a game as you'll likely see all year.
Argentina didn't have to flinch once as they swept past an atrocious Bolivia team that looked as though their opponents had tricked them into playing at altitude.
Scaloni's side were in cruise control for 93 minutes and never got out of second gear as they sent goalkeeper Viscarra diving to stop the ball every five minutes.
Enzo Fernández opened the scoring with a close-range goal from a Di María cross before the same winger sent another ball in towards Tagliafico, who jumped highest and saw his header loop into the goal to give his side a 0-2 lead at the break.
Before the half-time whistle, however, things were made even more complicated for the already struggling home side after centre-back Fernández was sent off for a horrific challenge on Romero, who was lucky to come out unscathed.
The second half was a continuation of the first, with Argentina flicking passes around like they had invented the possession game, with a lacklustre Bolivia side huffing awkwardly behind them.
Nico González got the third with a sweet strike to seal the three points, three goals and 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers for the defending world champions.
That's all, folks!
Thanks for joining in on the live coverage of Bolivia vs Argentina!
It's been great fun, unless of course you are a Bolivia fan.
Make sure to check out all the latest sports news on AS USA!
Joe
Let's see what the stats say...
Goals: Bolivia 0-3Argentina
xG: 0.08-1.72
Possession: 42-58
Shots: 4-15
Shotsontarget: 2-7
Free-kicks: 10-27
Fouls: 23-10
Totalpasses: 339-488
Completed passes: 275-415
Attacks: 69-112
FULL TIME!
Maximum points for Argentina as they cruise past a torrid ten-man Bolivia side.
We're into the final 30 seconds and Bolivia continue to fly into the tackles.
Leandro Paredes fires a long-range effort just past the post... Argentina want more!
3 added minutes.
To be fair to Bolivia, they have played the entire second half with 10 men...
Back underway after a Bolivia player is treated for a bleeding mouth.
On comes Argentina's number 10... Ángel Correa!
Enzo Fernández OFF
Garnacho & Lautaro ON
Álvarez & Nico OFF
Álvarez doesn't get a shot away quickly enough and the ball is robbed before being stolen immediately after by Palacios, who slides a pass left to Nico.
The forward takes a touch and sets himself up before smashing a powerful effort past Viscarra at the near post.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL
NICO GONZÁLEZ GETS GOAL NUMBER THREE!!!
Paredes and Lautaro are set to come on.
We're into the final 10 minutes now, and this time it's Enzo Fernández who is down holding his leg.
A poor cross is easily cleared to Di María, who is fouled in his defensive third. Another chance to run down the clock.
Bolivia win a free-kick near the left corner flag in their in their attacking third after Mac Allister went in too hard to the challenge.
The away side are in an even lower gear in possession than before, casually tapping the ball around as Bolivia decide whether to chase them or not.
Palacios ON
De Paul OFF
Dibu Martínez gets told off by Señor Referee for wasting time at a goal kick. That's not like him.
Into the wall. Groan.
It's the sublime hair of Marcelo Moreno Martins to take.
Otamendi, who is breathing heavier than a weighty pug, is penalised and Bolivia have a free-kick on the edge of the box.
VISCARRA SAVES AGAIN
Di María snakes through the centre and hits a low shot that's well pushed away by the loneliest man on the planet.
One, two, three passes bounce between Álvarez and Di María down the right side before the City striker shapes his body and whacks a ferocious ball towards goal that skims off the far post and out of play.
Bolivia at sixes and sevens - their heads are so out of the game as things stand.
OFF THE POST FROM ÁLVAREZ
The referee has had enough and gets his yellow card out for Quinteros after a late challenge.
A couple of stoppages due to small fouls break up Argentina's possession flow...
A sensational series of flicks between Álvarez, Di María and De Paul send defender's ankles spinning like figure skaters as they try to keep up. This is a one-way road to victory for La Albiceleste, who could turn on the goal tap at any moment.
Di María, who has been excellent so far, goes down after a big challenge from Sagredo.
And then Quinteros plays possible the worst pass of a football I've ever seen, a simple effort that rolls desperately far from its intended target and out of play.
Wails instead of groans from the crowd.
DiMaría wobbles and slides through the Bolivia challenges like he's wearing a jacket made of jelly before seeing the ball pinched away from his feet by Quinteros as he gets into the box.
Saucedo ON
Arrascaita OFF
The opening minutes to the second half have been like playing 12,00ft above sea- oh.
Bolivia are struggling and their press isn't working, the possession isn't flowing and the challenges are late and wild. Not great.
A few flicks, twists and turns from the white and blue striped shirts shows the confidence flowing through this side. It's been a top quality performance so far, and they are definitely looking to take any potential risk out of the game with their possession play in deep areas.
Viscarra, by the way, plays for my new favourite team in La Paz: The Strongest.
Despite Argentina being in cruise control, their press has not dropped for a second and they continue to charge down every Bolivia player who gets a touch.
Viscarra gets down well to stop another shot from Enzo.
Argentina win the ball high up the pitch and Atlético Madrid's De Paul hits a low strike from distance that is parried away by the goalkeeper.
BIG SAVE FROM VISCARRA
This could well be a draining second half for Bolivia if they choose to chase the ball...
Just like in the first half it's Argentina with the possession, stroking the ball in and out of Bolivia's midfield third as the home side sit off them.
Cuellar and Haquin ON
Ursino and Jusino OFF
De Paul is down... and we've got a stoppage.
Second half underway!
And we're off!
Here come the teams!
Changes coming up for Bolivia...
Half time lead for the world champs:
Goals: Bolivia 0-2 Argentina
xG: 0.07-1.52
Shots: 3-8
Shots on target: 2-4
Possession: 41-59
Free-kicks: 4-8
Cargando...
Half time report:
Argentina's players are crouched over as they struggle for breath after a lung-busting first 45 minutes.
It was EnzoFernández who, after first sending Viscarra flying from a long-range effort, opened the scoring as he finished off a Di María cross from the right.
A few half chances came and went for Bolivia, who attacked down the wings whenever they could.
The turning point in the game came when RobertoFernández went flying in on Romero and almost broke his leg with a horrifyingly high set of studs that got planted in the defender's shin. He was yellow carded, sent off and then sent off again after a VAR check determined it should in fact be a straightred.
Moments later, Argentina took advantage and Tagliafico got a head/shoulder to a Di María cross (again), doubling the lead for the away side and making them forget all about Leo Messi, who was watching happily from the bench in his blue tracksuit.
And there it is!
Half time!
Bolivia are struggling right now as Argentina pile on the pressure... the half-time whistle can't come quickly enough.
Argentina break beautifully and the attack ends with Álvarez, who can't get on De Paul's sly pass through the lines.
A golden chance and the City striker searches for answers with his nose squashed against the goalpost in frustration.
3 added minutes.
We're back underway and there are not many happy bunny rabbits in the seats around the pitch... they are fuming at how Bolivia have allowed this to slip away.
The Di María free-kick was almost from half way, and it hits the shoulder of the leapingTagliafico, which sends the ball looping up in the air and over the outstretched arm of Viscarra!
It's his first ever goal for Argentina!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL
TAGLIAFICO SCORES
As is understandable, the game has levelled up in terms of the challenges that are now flying in. Both teams need to keep their cool.
Well, that's silenced the crowd...
Yep... it's not a second yellow, but a straight red card.
That tackle was a disgusting stamp on Romero's shin/ankle and could have been season-ending.
I believe the VAR check is to determine wether or not Fernández's sending off should be a straight red or a double yellow.
Hold up, we've got a VAR check...
A busy game for the Fernández family.
The challenge was high and went up the leg of Romero, it could have been nasty.
Roberto Fernández is off.
FORGET THAT... IT'S A RED!
It's a yellow for Bolivia's Fernández after he leaves a late foot in....
Enzo Fernández is playing as though he's growing a beehive in his shorts, his legs are moving quicker than anything I've ever seen. What a performance so far from the midfielder.
The crowd are trying to help the home side bounce back into the game, which could indeed happen as they've had some decent chances to get in behind Romero and Otamendi.
Bolivia, before today, had conceded 26 in 8 against La Abiceleste...
What a delightful goal.
Álvarez plays out to the right to Di María, who hits a low cross that curls towards goal. Enzo moves ahead of the defender and strokes the ball into the goal at the far post to score his third international goal.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL
ENZO SCORES!!!!!
Otamendi is down after a big challenge from Abrego, who chopped him down.
Moreno gets down the left and hits a low cross towards Abrego, which Romero hooks away.
The clearance is followed up by Ursino, who hits it from distance, forcing Martínez into a goos save.
The pace of the game has just dropped slightly after the yellow card and subsitute.
That's a surprisingsubstitute in the 25th minute; Villamil went down earlier but I'm not sure if the change has anything to do with the yellow or a physical issue.
Villaroel ON
Villamil OFF
Villamil goes into the book after a late challenge on Mac Allister.
Abrego's shot from the corner of the box is saved by Martínez after Bolivia stumble past a few challenges from Argentina.
This time it's Álvarez, who steals the ball from Jusino and races away.
He hits a powerful show from a tight angle on the left and the goalkeeper does well to save with a strong open palm.
BIG SAVE FROM VISCARRA
Di María goes for goal from a long distance on the right side: it looked a little rushed but he didn't have much else on in front of the Bolivia defence. The shot flies well overthe bar.
Just over 15 minutes gone and we're seeing a lot of Argentina pressure every time Bolivia touch the ball.
They look like they want to find the goal as soon as possible in order to be able to relax a little more, as I don't think they can keep up the pressure for 90 minutes.
Villamil challenges well and plays Marcelo Moreno through the lines, but Argentina get back well. The crowd are having fun, despite the chances for the away side, which is only adding to the frantic feeling that is flowing inside the ground.
What a couple of fantastic chances we have seen for Argentina, who are growing into the game at lightning speed.
The Chelsea midfielder collects the ball after the free-kick is cleared and fires a shot from 30 yards that is arrowing into the top corner... and somehow the Bolivian Superman gets a huge hand to the ball!
THAT WAS A SUBLIME EFFORT FROM ENZO
WHAT A SAVE FROM VISCARRA!!!!!!!!
Abrego clatters into De Paul in what is a clumsy challenge and another chance for La Albiceleste to whip a cross towards goal.
It's a big mistake from Ursino, who allows Argentina to steal the ball in their attacking third. The ball lands with De Paul who flashes a long-range effort just wide of the goal.
BIG CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA
After a long wait it's Otamendi who gets a head on Di María's cross, but the effort goes well wide of goal.
Some nice play from Argentina now with Mac Allister and Di María. The former is tackled by Ursino and goes to ground.
Abrego almost gets in and Otamendi is needed to swing a last-gasp leg at the ball. Corner to Bolivia, who have started well.
Marcelo Moreno looks offside as Bejerano fires a high ball over the away side's defence. It had everyone on their feet, as well as Dibu Martínez, who came out to clear.
Groans from the crowd as Dibu Martínez uncharacteristically takes his sweet time with the ball. Not like him...
It's Bolivia's Arrascaita with the first shot of the game. The midfielder hit the ball from distance and it spun high and wide.
As you may expect, Argentina start off with the ball and begin to knock it around their defensive third.
Here we go!
The away side get us going.
Argentina are in their home strip; Bolivia are in green shirts, white shorts and white socks.
Time for the national anthems...
Argentina first: a lovely song, well performed by the Albiceleste XI.
And now Bolivia... WOW. What a noise. That was spectacular.
Well, if you ever needed a push after a 5-1 defeat, the news that Messi is not in the squad must be a positive.
And here come the teams!!!
The wait is over!
The two teams are out of the tunnel!
A reminder of the Argentina XI:
ARGENTINA XI [4-3-3]
GK: Dibu Martínez
DEF: Molina - Otamendi - Romero - Tagliafico
MID: Enzo - De Paul - Alexis
ATT: Di María - Álvarez - Nico González
***
Manager: Lionel Scaloni
Fifteen minutes to go!
The stadium is full to the brim, the sun is shining and the pitch looks lovely ahead of kick off.
Huge boos ring out around the ground...
The Argentina squad took their time getting off the pitch and the Bolivian fans weren't happy one iota.
It's a fantasticatmosphere inside the sunny stadium in La Paz.
Bolivia starting XI:
GK: Viscarra
DEF: Fernández - Sagredo - Jusino - Quinteros - Bejarano
MID: Ursino - Villamil - Arrascaita
ATT: Martins - Abrego
No Messi for Argentina today, but the Bolivia fans won't mind.
Fans of the home side tried to prevent La Albiceleste from sleeping ahead of their tough World Cup qualifier in La Paz, giving them a 'cracking' welcome of fireworks and firecrackers.
Here's the XI!
My predicted XI was correct: Messi is not in the squad!
Cargando...
If you’re looking for all thekeyinformation you need on the game between Bolivia and Argentina, you’ve come to the right place.
Here's all the wisdom you could ask for on how to watch the game, as well as follow it live with myself.
Scaloni on changes to the starting XI:
“If nothing happens, the idea is to repeat or make some changes, such as bringing in these guys (Ángel Di María and Julián Álvarez). They have a chance to play but we won’t make a decision until the morning of the match. The idea is there and everyone is fine.”
Here's the predicted XI for Argentina:
This is the starting XI that looks set to take on Bolivia in La Paz, and you'll notice that there is no Lionel Messi.
[4-3-3]
Dibu
Molina - Romero - Otamendi - Tagliafico
De Paul - Alexis - Enzo Fernández
Di María - Julián - Nico González
The stadium is filling up!
The Estadio Hernando Siles is filling up nicely ahead of kick-off, with the empty seats becoming fewer and fewer.
The ground was built way back in 1930 and holds just over 41,000 spectators. It is named after the 31st President of Bolivia.
Club Bolívar, La Paz FC and the fantastically named TheStrongest all call the ground their home. The Strongest, you'll be pleased to know, is officially my new favourite name for a club, taking over the Go Ahead Eagles of the Netherlands.
How the qualifying table looks...
Argentina sit third in CONCACAF qualification after one game, behind only Brazil and Uruguay in the table.
Neymar broke Brazil’s all-time scoring record against Bolivia last week and as such, they sit top. Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa returned to action with Uruguay and got off to a flying start, blitzing Chile 3-1 in Montevideo.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Who's the ref?
Estaban Ostojich is the man with the whistle today.
The Uruguayan has been a match official since 2016 and has overseen games in the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The lucky human sitting in his referee outfit behind a computer screen is AndrésCunha, the VAR official.
Here's the record between the two teams:
So, I had found a delightful Tweet from the official Argentina account with a wonderful graphic highlighting the record between the two national sides, but Elon Musk at X HQ has decided that I'm not allowed to post it.
I have absolutely no idea why, but then nobody really knows what's going on inside his skull.
Matches played: 41
Argentina wins: 29
Draws: 5
Bolivia wins: 7
The record is, as you might have expected, not a positive one for La Verde, who come into the game as underdogs. They do, however, have nature on their side, and the altitude will no doubt be a factor as the game trickles on.
Juan Mabromata / AFP
What happened in Argentina's last game?
As mentioned earlier, Argentina’s most recent game was also in this round of World Cup qualification.
La Albiceleste went up against an impressive Ecuadorside led in midfield by Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea, who performed superbly well to keep the world champions at bay for the majority of the game.
However, as is often the case, football matches are won when Messi decides, and he waited until deep into the second half to fire the ball into the top corner from a free-kick that saw the goalkeeper’s feet planted 2 metres down into the turf.
Football at a different level
The challenge is on for Messi and co as they will not only have to navigate a revenge-filled Bolivia side, but also the atmospheric challenges that come with playing at 12,000ft, the maximum height for a recreational aircraft, due to the, erm, lack of oxygen.
Cargando...
Scaloni pre-game:
Will he replace Messi?
“I don’t talk to him about these things, we go as we go along and it happens. The other day he was tired, he asked for a change and well… If he is well, he will always play and if he has a problem, we will see. It is logical to watch the matches.”
On playing at a high altitude:
“A lot of things have been tried and we already know the difficulty encountered by the teams that go there. I don’t want to talk too much about this issue because it is something that is not going to change. It is clear that it has an added difficulty but under no circumstances are we going to complain."
The challenge against Bolivia:
“Bolivia are a good team, the coach is doing interesting things. We took things away from their match vs. Brazil, even though we know it is not the same play they have at home. We will be alert.”
Bolivia team news:
There are no injuries to report for La Verde but the news is swirling around that Luciano Ursino could be brought into the midfield after featuring from the bench in the last game.
Apart from that, we are in line to see pretty much the same XI that got thumped by Brazil.
Luis Robayo / AFP
What's the *big* news?
Now, for the big news: it has been widely reported that Messi will not start Argentina’s game today, given how much football he has played recently.
Despite being a cyborg alien, after he casually scored the winner, the forward requested to come off early in Argentina’s win over Ecuador.
Since joining MLS side Inter Miami, Messi has been the keystone to everything they have done on and off the pitch. His club side are on an unbeaten run and recently picked up their first ever trophy: Leagues Cup.
They have flicked between cruise control and last-gasp winner territory, but every game with the ex-Barça man has been a Hollywood movie in itself and as such, he comes into this international break in need of a rest.
Argentina team news:
Before we get to the big news, the Argentina team situation was described by manager Scaloni, who said that both Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero, despite injury concerns, “are fit to play the match, we’ll see if they start or not. Or even not play. They only trained for the typical precautions.”
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to another cracking CONCACAF qualifier on AS USA.
This time we’ve got the intriguing game between Bolivia and Argentina.
It’s JoeBrennan here today for some fun in La Paz.