In the upcoming World Cup qualifying clash, Argentina aims to secure back-to-back victories as they face Bolivia in La Paz on Tuesday.
While Argentina is riding high on their recent win against Ecuador, Bolivia has the daunting task of recovering from a heavy defeat to Brazil.
Bolivia sees the expanded 48-team World Cup as an opportunity to make their mark, but their journey to the finals has been challenging.
They face difficult opening fixtures against powerhouses Brazil and Argentina, making their return to the World Cup since 1994 a tough feat.
Their qualifying campaign began on a sour note with a forgettable outing against Brazil, resulting in a 5-1 loss.
Although Victor Abrego managed to score a consolation goal in the 78th minute, it was not enough. Now, Bolivia’s head coach Gustavo Costas must motivate his team for the upcoming clash against his home nation.
La Verde, having lost their last five qualifiers, enters the match against the world champions as significant underdogs.
On the other hand, Argentina’s motivation remains high even after their World Cup triumph in December. Since claiming the ultimate prize, they have recorded five consecutive victories with an impressive 14-0 scoreline.
Their recent triumph against Ecuador showcased Lionel Messi’s brilliance, as he curled a stunning free-kick into the net in the 78th minute.
This victory extended Argentina’s unbeaten streak to 11 games, with their sole defeat in the last 48 matches coming in the 2022 World Cup group stage against Saudi Arabia.
Argentina has dominated their previous encounters with Bolivia, winning seven out of eight matches, including their most recent meeting in September 2021, where Messi scored a hat-trick, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Form Guide:
Bolivia World Cup Qualifying – South America: L Bolivia form (all comps): L, W, L, D, L, L
Argentina World Cup Qualifying – South America: W Argentina form (all competitions): W, W, W, W, W, W
Team News:
Bolivia’s midfielder Luciano Ursino could be introduced into the starting lineup after his second-half appearance against Brazil.
Victor Abrego, despite scoring against Brazil, may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Marcelo Moreno leading the attack.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra will face a challenging task but expects support from the backline consisting of Diego Medina, Jairo Quinteros, Adrian Jusino, Marcelo Suarez, and Roberto Fernandez.
For Argentina, manager Lionel Scaloni might choose to start Lionel Messi on the bench due to a minor injury sustained in the win over Ecuador.
Lisandro Martinez is unlikely to feature due to a foot problem, while Cristian Romero is expected to partner with Nicolas Otamendi in central defense.
Possible Lineups:
Bolivia:
- Viscarra
- Medina
- Quinteros
- Jusino
- Suarez
- Fernandez
- Bejarano
- Villamil
- Ursino
- Arrascaita
- Moreno
Argentina:
- Martinez
- Molina
- Romero
- Otamendi
- Tagliafico
- De Paul
- Fernandez
- Mac Allister
- Di Maria
- Gonzalez
- La. Martinez
Prediction: Bolivia 0-3 Argentina
Even if Lionel Messi doesn’t start, Argentina possesses an abundance of top-quality players who should overpower a Bolivia side lacking confidence following their heavy defeat against Brazil.