Argentina have scored a big win at the start of a new chapter without Lionel Messi. Lionel Scaloni’s team defeated Bolivia 4-0 in their first match without Messi.
Lionel Scaloni’s team dominated from the start in the friendly match held at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba on Thursday (October 1).
Argentina started the match with an aggressive style of football. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 19th minute of the first half. Then, in the 29th minute, young star Nico Paz showed his talent and increased the lead. In addition to scoring a goal, the 22-year-old midfielder also assisted a teammate in a goal.
Argentina continued to dominate after the break. Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero headed home the third goal from a perfect cross from Nico Paz. Late substitute Jose ‘Flaco’ Lopez scored his first goal for Argentina to seal a 4-0 victory. It was Lopez’s eighth appearance for the national team.
The biggest significance of this match was Messi’s absence. This was the first match without Messi in the Argentina jersey after announcing his retirement from international football. However, Messi’s official farewell is still to come. The football wizard is scheduled to play his last match for the national team against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6.
In their first test without Messi, Argentina showed that they can rely on the new generation of players in the team’s attack. Nico Paz’s performance in particular has caught the eye at the start of the new era.
The win over Bolivia gave Argentina confidence in their new path after the 2026 World Cup. Scaloni’s team will play two more friendlies against Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6.
