Argentina Crushes Bolivia 4-0 in First Match Without Messi
The Argentine national team thrashed Bolivia 4-0 in the absence of the internationally retired Messi.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Argentina, the runners-up at the World Cup in North America, thrashed their Bolivian counterparts 4-0 in their first match without retired international star Lionel Messi, at the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba.
Lautaro Martinez (19th minute), Nicolas Paz (29th), captain Cristian Romero (53rd), and Jose Manuel “Flaco” Lopez (86th) took turns scoring the Albiceleste’s four goals.
Messi, 39, retired from international football last month but will wear the famous number 10 jersey for the final time next Tuesday in a farewell friendly against Benin in the capital, Buenos Aires.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has played 207 matches for Argentina, standing as the national team’s all-time top scorer with 125 goals, including 21 in World Cup tournaments.
The former Barcelona star and current Inter Miami player also tops the list of most assists for the Albiceleste, with 68 key passes.
Argentina showed glimpses of beautiful football in their first match since losing the World Cup final to Spain 1-0 after extra time, fielding a squad bolstered by new faces.
The three-time world champions continue their preparations with two additional friendlies, facing Burkina Faso before Benin on October 3 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
