Argentina thrash Bolivia as new faces emerge for post-Messi era

Argentina’s national team returned to action on Wednesday with a comfortable 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia in Córdoba, as the World Cup finalists began life without Lionel Messi and gave several newcomers a chance to impress.

Lautaro Martínez (19th minute), Nico Paz (29th), Cristian Romero (53rd) and José ‘Flaco’ López (86) scored for the Albiceleste at the Estadio Mario Kempes.

The match was Argentina’s first since captain Messi announced his retirement from international football. Romero has now taken the captain’s armband.

The 39-year-old Rosario-born star will bid farewell to fans on October 6 in a friendly against Benin.

With Messi gone and several new faces pushing for places, coach Lionel Scaloni has begun shaping the next generation with an eye on the next World Cup.

Scaloni handed starts to right-back Agustín Giay and creative attacking midfielder Paz, while also surprising with a debut for Román Vega at left-back and a first start for winger Gianluca Prestianni.

After the break, he brought on defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Valentín Gómez, midfielder Santiago Simón and Ezequiel ‘Equi’ Fernández, as well as forwards López and Leonel Flores.

Argentina immediately showed their attacking intent, with the full-backs pushing high and Martínez and Julián Álvarez providing two focal points up front.

The Selección dominated possession and controlled the game, although it took time to find a way through a well-organised Bolivia side that defended with five at the back and a second line of three midfielders.

Bolivia’s resistance, however, was broken by Argentina’s first shot on target. Exequiel Palacios played a ball through the middle and Martínez created enough space to fire a right-footed shot into the corner beyond goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.

Argentina struck again soon afterwards through a similar move. Palacios was again involved, slipping a superb pass through to Paz, who found himself one-on-one with Viscarra and calmly chipped the goalkeeper.

New recruits

Argentina, firmly in control, extended their lead early in the second half when Paz delivered a cross that Romero headed into the net.

With the result effectively secured, Scaloni made a series of changes to give his new recruits playing time.

López completed the scoring in the 86th minute, following up to convert a rebound after a fine individual run by Flores, the young Boca Juniors forward.

“We have to keep going down this path and take the national team to the highest level. That is what matters,” Romero said. “We will build a good group and always try to reach the highest possible goal.”

The defender also admitted he had “never” imagined becoming Argentina captain after Messi.

Martínez, one of the team’s more experienced players, said the national side was going through “a special moment.”

“Leo guided us for a long time and left a huge legacy in this country,” said the Inter Milan striker. “Now we have to pass on the message Leo taught us to the new generation. Messi is irreplaceable, but we will give everything.”

Argentina will play two more friendlies in the next week. Before Messi’s farewell against Benin, the Albiceleste host Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.

– TIMES/AFP