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Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in Córdoba

Argentina won without Messi as newcomers made senior debuts before his planned farewell match.

Published by NUZE · Founded and edited by Halfdan Harring · Sunday, 4 October 2026

Summaries are written by NUZE from the day’s measured coverage across many newsrooms, with founder oversight.

What happened

Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in a friendly at Córdoba’s Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, its first match since losing the World Cup final to Spain. Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Paz, Cristian Romero and José López scored. Messi did not play as the team began its friendly series before his scheduled farewell against Benin.

Numbers

4-0Argentina’s margin over Bolivia — Friendly in Córdoba
5 playersSenior debuts in the friendly — Argentina newcomers
28 playersPlayers called for the series — Scaloni’s squad
125 goalsMessi goals for Argentina — Across his international career

Questions

What comes after the Bolivia match?: Argentina will host Burkina Faso before Messi is scheduled to start his final international match against Benin at the Monumental.
Why did newcomers get minutes?: The match gave several players senior international debuts, as Argentina began a new cycle after the World Cup final.
Who captained Argentina without Messi?: Scaloni chose Martínez and Romero as captains in Messi’s absence; both also scored during the match in Córdoba.
What does the win begin?: It opens preparations for the next Copa América and World Cup, while Argentina also plans for an international future without Messi.

The catch

Coverage does not explain how Scaloni will choose Argentina’s longer-term replacements for Messi.

What happens next

6 Oct

Messi is scheduled to play Benin in his final Argentina match.

Sources

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