Argentina Cruise Past Bolivia 4-0 as Scaloni Blends Experience and Youth
Argentina began their three-match home friendly programme with a 4-0 win over Bolivia at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, combining familiar World Cup-winning figures with younger players given an opportunity by Lionel Scaloni.
Lautaro Martínez set the hosts on their way in the 15th minute, finishing after Alexis Mac Allister supplied the decisive pass. Argentina continued to dictate possession and regularly found space around a Bolivia side that offered little threat to Emiliano Martínez.
The second goal arrived shortly before the interval. Exequiel Palacios released Nico Paz, who calmly lifted his finish over Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra to give Argentina a two-goal half-time lead.
Paz makes his mark
Paz added an assist eight minutes after the restart as Argentina put the game beyond doubt. His corner picked out Cristian Romero at the far post, with the defender heading in Argentina’s third.
Scaloni’s team remained in command through the second half, controlling the rhythm with sustained possession and sharp passing exchanges. Bolivia spent long spells defending deep and were unable to establish meaningful pressure on the home goal.
Argentina’s fourth came late on after Leonel Flores created the opening. José López, the Palmeiras forward, reacted quickest to a rebound and scored his first goal at senior international level.
Squad rotation before Burkina Faso test
The match also gave Scaloni scope to use his wider group. Agustín Giay and Gianlucca Prestianni were among the younger players to receive minutes alongside the established core of the squad.
The Argentina manager was pleased with the appetite shown by his more experienced players, whose intensity helped maintain control despite the opportunity to rotate.
Argentina now remain in Córdoba for the second match of the series against Burkina Faso. Their final fixture of the international window will be against Benin, while Bolivia will turn their attention back to their forthcoming competitive schedule after the heavy defeat.
