Argentina returned to winning ways in style with a thoroughly dominant 4-0 victory over Bolivia in an international friendly at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba. Demonstrating clear superiority from the start, Lionel Scaloni’s side controlled the tempo through relentless high pressing and sharp combination play, proving their deep talent pool even in the absence of talismanic captain Lionel Messi.
The victory offered a strong statement of intent from the Albiceleste, blending seasoned stars with dynamic young talents to overpower their opponents.
Early Breakthrough Sets The Tone
From the opening whistle, Argentina asserted full control over possession, pinning the visitors deep inside their own half. The early pressure paid off in the 18th minute through a crisp central build-up involving Alexis Mac Allister. Lautaro Martínez skillfully maneuvered past the Bolivian defense before unleashing a precise low diagonal shot into the far corner to break the deadlock. The strike marked the Inter Milan forward's 41st international goal for his country.
Argentina doubled their advantage just ten minutes later as their fluid passing unlocked Bolivia's backline once again. Exequiel Palacios sliced open the defense with an exquisite through-ball, finding Nico Paz on a clever run. The 22-year-old midfielder showed exceptional composure, calmly dinking a delicate chip over advancing goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra to make it 2-0. Julián Álvarez nearly extended the lead further before the break, but the hosts comfortably held a two-goal cushion at halftime.
Dominance Continues In The Second Half
Argentina showed no signs of letting up after the restart, maintaining total command over the pitch. In the 53rd minute, a well-crafted set-piece routine produced the third goal. Nico Paz delivered a perfectly weighted free-kick into the penalty area, allowing Cristian Romero to rise above his marker and power home a towering header.
With the result virtually secure, Scaloni utilized his bench, making a series of tactical substitutions to give emerging talents valuable international minutes. Despite the extensive changes, Bolivia remained entirely unable to mount any sustained pressure or threaten goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Late Goal Seals The Rout
The fresh energy from the bench kept the Bolivian defense flustered during the closing stages. After several missed opportunities, Argentina capped off a flawless performance in the 85th minute. Forward José Manuel “Flaco” López pounced on a loose ball inside a crowded penalty box, finishing from close range to score his first international goal in eight appearances for the national team.
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 4-0 triumph, marking an encouraging milestone for Scaloni’s squad. For Bolivia, the heavy loss underscored defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of attacking cohesion under head coach Óscar Villegas, extending a difficult run on the international stage. Meanwhile, the star performance of young Nico Paz—who finished with a goal and an assist—highlighted the bright future of Argentina's ongoing squad renewal.