On the same day Argentina saw superstar Lionel Messi suspended four games by FIFA for verbally abusing an official, the team had to go to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying, looking for three points on the road to Russia.
And just as it has normally done without Messi in previous qualifiers, the Albiceleste did next to nothing.
Argentina lost 2-0 in La Paz to Bolivia, with the hosts getting goals from Juan Arce and Marcelo Moreno.
Gooooool de Arce, goooool de @fbf_oficial, Arce anticipa a Romero y la manda al fondo, gol boliviano #Eliminatorias https://t.co/1rCZfMZE3d
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 28, 2017
Gooooooooool de @fbf_oficial, gooooool de Marcelo Martins, control y remate cerca del área chica #Eliminatorias https://t.co/gJdaP9J3ak
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 28, 2017
Argentina entered the day in third in qualifying, but after dropping three points in Bolivia it will likely finish the day in fifth place. The Messi-less visitors didn’t deserve anything from this one. With Lucas Pratto and Angel Correa in attack, the team rarely threatened. With high altitude and a poor pitch, Argentina looked out of shape and sloppy.
Bolivia, all but out of the next World Cup, played together and was able to go on the counter to strike twice, sending Argentina to yet another loss without Messi and leaving its qualifying campaign under serious threat.
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