Published : 01 Oct 2026, 11:09 AM
Updated : 01 Oct 2026, 11:09 AM
Argentina marked their first outing since Lionel Messi’s international retirement with a 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia in Cordoba.
Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and Jose Manuel Lopez were on target at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium on Wednesday as Lionel Scaloni’s side dominated their first match since the World Cup.
Martinez opened the scoring in the 19th minute, collecting a pass from Alexis Mac Allister before finishing into the far corner.
Paz doubled the lead 10 minutes later after Exequiel Palacios played him through, lifting his finish over goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.
Romero, wearing the captain’s armband, made it 3-0 nine minutes after the break, heading in from a Paz set-piece.
Substitute Lopez completed the scoring in the 86th minute, claiming his first Argentina goal shortly after having another effort ruled out for offside.
Scaloni’s side controlled the contest throughout, with Bolivia offering little attacking threat.
Argentina next face Burkina Faso at the Monumental on Saturday before hosting Benin on Tuesday in Messi’s farewell appearance for the national team.
