Bolivia may have scored well in World Cup qualifying, but that won’t matter when we go there Argentina to face Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste. Messi made his first Argentina start in 333 days and did not disappoint. He scored a goal in the 19th minute to put Argentina ahead. By halftime that lead would increase to 3-0 as Messi added two more assists to his performance.
After working to a draw in their last match against Venezuela, this was just what the doctor ordered for Argentina. Everything is made easier by the presence of Messi, who took advantage of Bolivia’s defensive errors to score his opening goal before developing into a provider.
At the instruction of Lautaro Martinez for the opening goal, Messi returned the favor to his attacking partner by setting up Martinez, splitting Bolivia’s lines into an open net before the devastating finish. Messi then set up Julian Alvarez for the third goal from a free kick, giving Argentina an impressive half-time advantage.
La Albiceleste will still have to close out the match, but they couldn’t have asked for a better start against a Bolivian side that has won three in a row. This is what one of the best teams in CONMEBOL – and one of the best in the world – can do when playing in front of their home faithful. If Argentina can secure victory, it will also break its two-match winless streak after dropping a match Colombia before signing against Venezuela.