Argentina defeats Bolivia 4-0 in international friendly behind balanced attack
The Argentine national team earned a commanding 4-0 victory against Bolivia on Wednesday evening at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. The international exhibition served as the squad’s initial fixture without Lionel Messi ahead of the planned farewell match for the experienced attacker, while central defender Cristian Romero stepped on the pitch wearing the captain’s armband from kickoff.
Goals for the hosts arrived through Lautaro Martinez at the 19th minute of the first half, Nico Paz at the 29th minute, Cristian Romero at the 8th minute of the second half, and Jose Manuel Lopez at the 41st minute of the second half. Dictating the rhythm from early exchanges, Argentina maintained an average of 80% ball possession throughout the opening forty-five minutes and prevented the visiting team from registering any attempts on target until the early moments of the second half.
This match represented Argentina’s first collective performance following their participation in the 2026 World Cup final. Throughout the evening, the management under head coach Lionel Scaloni opted to leave the iconic number 10 shirt unassigned, with no footballer wearing the jersey on the pitch. The squad intends to keep that squad number vacant until Messi completes his final scheduled fixture for the national team.
Tactical dominance and a breakthrough finish from Jose Manuel Lopez
Even without their primary attacking figure, the host side established firm control over the pitch right from the opening whistle in Cordoba. Lautaro Martinez initiated the scoring in the 19th minute with an accurate strike past the keeper. Ten minutes later, Nico Paz doubled the lead by finishing a collective passing sequence near the edge of the Bolivian penalty area, reinforcing the dominant display.
Early in the second half, Cristian Romero extended the advantage at the 8th minute. The central defender, serving as team captain on the night, leapt above the Bolivian backline to head the ball past goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra. The sequence reflected the aerial strength and systematic positioning that the Argentine side displayed on set pieces throughout the evening.
The fourth goal arrived in the 41st minute courtesy of Palmeiras forward Jose Manuel Lopez. Following a direct attacking run, Leonel Flores attempted a dribble on the wing before being dispossessed inside the penalty area, allowing the loose ball to drift toward Lopez, who guided a low attempt into the corner of the net. The late conversion marked the forward’s first international goal with Argentina‘s senior side.
Match facts and technical overview from Cordoba
- Date and kickoff: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 21:00 local time
- Venue: Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, in Cordoba, Argentina
- Final scoreline: Argentina 4, Bolivia 0
- Scorers: Lautaro Martinez (19′ 1H), Nico Paz (29′ 1H), Cristian Romero (8′ 2H), Jose Manuel Lopez (41′ 2H)
- First-half ball possession: 80% for Argentina
Post-match reflections from Lionel Scaloni on leadership and squad numbers
Following the conclusion of the friendly fixture, Lionel Scaloni discussed the performance of his newly appointed captain during the post-game press conference. The manager emphasized the significance of taking on the armband and noted that competitive demands on the defender will only rise moving forward.
Read also: Lionel Messi unveils farewell Argentina shirt for Benin friendly
The head coach highlighted the expectations placed upon the central defender: “Cuti is a great player, he must embrace this responsibility and he is fully capable of carrying it forward. He needs to show what it means to wear the captain’s armband and he will have to keep improving across many areas,” Scaloni stated in his post-match address.
Scaloni also addressed the tactical decision to leave the number 10 jersey unused during the ninety minutes in Cordoba. According to the coach, the protocol surrounding the jersey is directly connected to Messi’s schedule during this international window.
“In these fixtures, there is no mandate forcing someone to wear the ten. Until Leo plays his designated match, we will not assign it to anyone, and after that point we will see. The plan is for an athlete to eventually inherit it, along with everything positive that number embodies,” the Argentine manager explained to the press.
Timeline of key events and substitutions during the ninety minutes
- 19′ first half — Lautaro Martinez scores the opening goal for Argentina with a low strike
- 29′ first half — Nico Paz finishes a central build-up to record the hosts’ second goal
- 00′ second half — Nico Paz strikes from the edge of the area, earning a corner after a defensive deflection
- 02′ second half — Robson Matheus fires over the target on Bolivia’s opening offensive attempt
- 04′ second half — Miguelito receives a yellow card for simulation inside the Argentine penalty box
- 08′ second half — Cristian Romero heads home from a cross on the left flank to make it 3-0
- 10′ second half — Lionel Scaloni introduces Mastantuono, Barco, and Balerdi into the match
- 12′ second half — Vega gathers a delivery from Barco and attempts a deflected angled strike
- 15′ second half — Maraude and Miguelito launch a Bolivian counter-attack that is halted by the defense
- 19′ second half — Mac Allister directs a header over the crossbar following a corner delivery
- 28′ second half — Santiago Simon replaces defender Giay on the pitch
- 30′ second half — Julian Alvarez bends a free kick from distance just wide of the left post
- 36′ second half — Lionel Flores joins the match as Valentin Gomez enters to reinforce the defense
- 38′ second half — Jose Manuel Lopez bursts forward and sends an attempt above the woodwork
- 40′ second half — Jose Manuel Lopez finds the net but sees the goal ruled out for offside
- 41′ second half — Jose Manuel Lopez secures the loose ball and slots home the fourth goal
- 48′ second half — The referee blows the final whistle to end the contest at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium
Upcoming schedule for the national squad during the international window
- September 30, 2026 — International friendly resulting in a 4-0 win against Bolivia at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba
- October 3, 2026 — International friendly against Burkina Faso at 21:00, held at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires
- October 6, 2026 — Farewell match for Lionel Messi against Benin at 20:00, scheduled at Estadio Monumental
Following the final whistle in Cordoba, the Argentine travelling party heads directly to Buenos Aires to continue tactical preparation ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Burkina Faso on October 3. That contest will serve as the final preparation step before the exhibition match on October 6 against Benin, which marks the concluding international appearance for 39-year-old forward Lionel Messi in national colors.
