Highlights: Argentina thrash Bolivia 7-0 as Aguero, Lavezzi and Messi grab a brace each
If Argentina needed a match to get back to winning ways after the Copa America final loss, this was it. A 7-0 rout against Bolivia will do little to erase the memories of that night in Chile, but it will ease the pain and help the Albiceleste ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifiers. On the other hand, it couldn’t have been a worse start for Bolivia’s new coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso - newly appointed even though Mauricio Soria had done reasonably well at Copa America.
Lionel Messi did not start the game but came on as a substitute in the 65th minute. And the Barcelona forward needed less than a minute to get on the scoresheet. He would add another later on as three Argentina players scored a brace, including PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
Lavezzi got things going as early as the fifth minute when he made a run into the box, controlled a ball lofted over the defence and struck it past the goalkeeper with his second touch after letting it bounce. Aguero then added the second after some neat interplay found him in space as he chipped the goalkeeper.
Lavezzi then scored again in the 41st minute after a quickly taken free kick caught Bolivia napping. The scoreline read 3-0 at the break with Argentina comfortably in control. Less than 15 minutes into the second half, Lavezzi combined with Aguero to make it 4-0 with the striker scoring from the edge of the six-yard box from Lavezzi’s low cross.
As if a 4-0 lead after 65 minutes wasn’t enough to make their heads drop, Bolivia then saw Argentina introduce Lionel Messi. The UEFA Player of the Year took no no time to get going and scored as soon as he came on - with a header from near the penalty spot which ideally should have been intercepted.
Messi’s second goal was superb as he made a run down the middle between the two centre backs, controlled a quick through ball which came in from behind him and then rounded the goalkeeper to score. Atletico forward Angel Correa then completed the rout after another through ball found him at the edge of the box where he let fly a strike from long range that nestled into the right bottom corner.
Argentina are now scheduled to play Mexico in the USA next week in an exhibition game.