| Quick AnswerArgentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in a friendly on 30 September 2026 at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba. Lautaro Martínez (19′), Nico Paz (29′), Cristian Romero (54′) and José Manuel López (86′) scored the goals. It was Argentina’s first match since Lionel Messi retired from international football, and new captain Cristian Romero’s first game wearing the armband. |
Argentina vs Bolivia match highlights, scorecard, and complete player stats are here as the World Cup champions kick off a brand-new era. Argentina embarked upon a new era on Tuesday night and the fans were not disappointed, with a 4-0 win in Córdoba over Bolivia being little surprise after the hosts settled down. However, the result was but the backdrop for a whole host of developments which have huge implications for future fixtures.
Argentina embarked upon a new era on Tuesday night and the fans were not disappointed, with a 4-0 win in Córdoba over Bolivia being little surprise after the hosts settled down. However, the result was but the backdrop for a whole host of developments which have huge implications for future fixtures. From the lack of Lionel Messi to a new captain and the emergence of a group of young players being given more responsibility, here are all the key talking points, including the full scorecard, line-ups and statistics.
Match Overview
Argentina hosted friendly against Bolivia in a match on 30 September 2026 at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba . It was presented as a relaxed encounter, as they had nothing to play for, but it was a highly charged match. It was Argentina’s first match since the end of August, when Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football, having scored 207 caps and 125 goals, 21 of which came in World Cups.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni used the game to begin his transition to the post-Messi world. Defender Cristian Romero, also known as ‘Cuti,’ wore the captain’s armband for the first time, and several less experienced players, who were not first-choice World Cup selections, were given a chance to prove themselves.
Final Score and Scorecard
Argentina controlled the game from early on and never let Bolivia settle. Two goals in each half added up to a comfortable, no-nonsense win.
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
| Argentina | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Bolivia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goal by Goal: How Argentina Scored Four
- 19′ — Lautaro Martínez opens the scoring with a low shot from just outside the box.
- 29′ — Nico Paz doubles the lead with a clever chip from close range, finishing off a quick move.
- 54′ — Cristian Romero heads home shortly after half-time, his first goal as official captain.
- 86′ — Substitute José Manuel López wraps up the scoring with a close-range finish.
There wasn’t a single reply from Bolivia all night. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez barely had to make a save, which tells you how one-sided the game really was once Argentina found their rhythm.
Starting Lineups: Argentina vs Bolivia
Scaloni fielded a side that mixed World Cup winners with fresh faces. Only a handful of players from the World Cup final squad kept their place, a clear sign the coach is already planning for the next cycle.
| Argentina (4-2-3-1) | Bolivia (4-5-1, predicted) |
| Emiliano Martínez (GK) | Guillermo Viscarra (GK) |
| Agustín Giay | Diego Arroyo |
| Cristian Romero (Captain) | Luis Haquín |
| Lisandro Martínez | Marcelo Morales |
| Facundo Medina | Roberto Fernández |
| Exequiel Palacios | Gabriel Villamíl |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Carlos Melgar |
| Franco Mastantuono | Héctor Cuéllar |
| Nicolás Paz | Ervin Vaca |
| Julián Álvarez | Daniel Ribera |
| Lautaro Martínez | Miguel Terceros |
Bolivia’s lineup is listed as reported ahead of kick-off; the visiting side made several changes during the match as Argentina pulled further ahead.
Player Stats and Standout Performances
A few names stand out from the scoresheet. Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono, both still in their twenties, looked comfortable in the number 6 and 8 roles in the middle of the park against senior international opposition, which is exactly what Scaloni wanted to see. Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez worked well together in attack, swapping positions and pulling the back four of Bolivia out of shape the entire evening.
Defensively, the back four didn’t have to do much. Bolivia didn’t manage to create much, and the midfield partnership of Exequiel Palacios and Alexis Mac Allister saw the ball roll around nicely for large chunks of the game.
Why This Match Mattered
On the whole, a friendly win over Bolivia is nothing special for Argentina – they have beaten weaker teams comfortably several times before. The reason for the game’s significance lies at the time when it was played, which saw the team put in a good performance without their all-time superstar striker on the pitch, and the first indication of trust from Scaloni for his successor.
The captain’s armband given to Romero is a sign of stability in the defensive ranks, and the starting XI featuring both Paz and Mastantuono means the new generation is being rushed in rather than gently ushered into the first team. None of this could be seen on the 4-0 scoreline, but that is why the game was so eagerly awaited.
How to Watch the Replay and Highlights
If you missed the live broadcast, full match highlights are being shared through official broadcaster channels. Fans in the United States can catch replays via ViX and Fubo, which carried the TyC Sports feed, while viewers in Argentina can find coverage on TyC Sports and Televisión Pública. Clips of all four goals are widely available on the Argentine Football Association’s official social channels as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Argentina vs Bolivia?
Argentina won 4-0. Goals came from Lautaro Martínez (19′), Nico Paz (29′), Cristian Romero (54′) and José Manuel López (86′).
Did Lionel Messi play against Bolivia?
No. This was Argentina’s first match since Messi announced his retirement from the national team at the end of August 2026. Cristian Romero wore the captain’s armband instead.
Where was Argentina vs Bolivia played?
The match was played at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, Argentina, on 30 September 2026.
Who is Argentina’s new captain?
Defender Cristian Romero, nicknamed “Cuti,” was confirmed by head coach Lionel Scaloni as Argentina’s new captain for the post-Messi era.
Was this match part of World Cup qualifying?
No. It was an international friendly, the first game of a new cycle for Argentina following their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
How can I watch the highlights in the USA?
Fans in the United States can find full highlights and replays through ViX and Fubo, which carried the TyC Sports broadcast.
