Overview
- Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in Córdoba on Wednesday in the first match since the World Cup final, with goals from Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Paz, Cristian Romero and José Manuel López.
- Five players — Román Vega, Ezequiel Fernández, Santiago Simón, Leonel Flores and Valentín Gómez — made full international debuts as Scaloni used the friendly to widen his pool and protect young talent.
- Cristian Romero captained the side for the first time, scored in the second half and is part of a leadership group that will share responsibilities previously concentrated in Lionel Messi.
- Scaloni started a 'double 9' with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez to test tactical continuity without Messi and said the team will keep its possession, passing and attacking identity.
- Argentina will return to Buenos Aires for friendlies at the Monumental against Burkina Faso on Oct. 3 and Benín on Oct. 6, the latter scheduled as Messi's formal farewell and a match for continued rotation and player management.