# Argentina thrash Bolivia in post-Messi friendly

> Argentina beats Bolivia 4-0 as new faces step up without Messi.
- Title: Argentina thrash Bolivia in post-Messi friendly | Shortify
- Summary: Argentina beats Bolivia 4-0 as new faces step up without Messi. Argentina won 4-0 against Bolivia in a friendly match, with Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz…
- Keywords: argentina, bolivia, lautaro martinez, nico paz, cristian romero, jose flaco lopez, lionel messi, lionel scaloni, world cup, friendly match, post-messi era, national team
- Source: Buenos Aires Times — https://batimes.com.ar/news/sports/argentina-thrash-bolivia-as-new-faces-emerge-for-post-messi-era.phtml
- Published: 2026-10-02T00:12:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: argentina, bolivia, lautaro martinez, nico paz, cristian romero, jose flaco lopez, lionel messi, lionel scaloni, world cup, friendly match, post-messi era, national team
## Argentina wins 4-0
Argentina’s national team returned to action on Wednesday with a comfortable 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia in Córdoba.
## Scorers named
Lautaro Martínez (19th minute), Nico Paz (29th), Cristian Romero (53rd) and José ‘Flaco’ López (86) scored for the Albiceleste at the Estadio Mario Kempes.
## Messi’s retirement
The match was Argentina’s first since captain Messi announced his retirement from international football. Romero has now taken the captain’s armband.
## Messi farewell
The 39-year-old Rosario-born star will bid farewell to fans on October 6 in a friendly against Benin.
## New faces in squad
Scaloni handed starts to right-back Agustín Giay and creative attacking midfielder Paz, while also surprising with a debut for Román Vega at left-back and a first start for winger Gianluca Prestianni.
## Next matches
Argentina will play two more friendlies in the next week. Before Messi’s farewell against Benin, the Albiceleste host Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.
## Key takeaway

Argentina won 4-0 against Bolivia in a friendly match, with Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and José 'Flaco' López scoring as Lionel Messi's retirement begins a new era for the national team.