In Córdoba, beneath the lights of the Mario Kempes Stadium, Argentina began its first match without Lionel Messi with an emphatic 4-0 win over Bolivia. The opposition offered limited resistance after having missed the last World Cup through the play-offs, but the evening still gave Lionel Scaloni an encouraging first look at a side balancing its established spine with a wave of younger players.
A first glimpse of Argentina after Messi
The scoreline could have been heavier, yet the real interest lay in the new combinations. Cristian Romero wore the captain’s armband in Messi’s absence, while Nico Paz, operating from the right before drifting inside onto his left foot, emerged as the most eye-catching figure of the night.
The Como midfielder wore No. 18, but his comfort in possession, movement across the pitch and influence from dead-ball situations prompted thoughts about a much larger role in the national side. Any discussion of Messi’s former No. 10 must remain separate from comparisons with its previous owner, but Paz gave Scaloni clear reasons to place him at the centre of Argentina’s renewal.
- Agustín Giay of Palmeiras started at full-back.
- Román Vega, formerly of Barcelona and now with Zenit, also featured in the defence.
- Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica began on the left, regularly cutting infield on his right foot.
- Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez were paired together up front in a two-striker formation.
Palacios opens Bolivia apart
Argentina’s early control owed much to Exequiel Palacios, whose forward passing split Bolivia’s lines twice. The central midfielder was involved in the move for the opening goal, combining with Alexis Mac Allister before Lautaro Martínez finished with composure.
Palacios then supplied the decisive pass himself, releasing Paz into the area. The young midfielder accelerated beyond the defence and delicately lifted his finish over the advancing goalkeeper to put Argentina two goals ahead.
Romero added the third shortly after the restart. The defender, dependable throughout the contest, attacked a free-kick delivery from Paz and headed home before Scaloni began making widespread changes.
Changes bring another young sign
The second half became a broad examination of Argentina’s emerging options. Only goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, Vega and Julián Álvarez remained on the field for the entire 90 minutes.
- Leonardo Balerdi entered the match.
- Valentín Barco was introduced.
- Franco Mastantuono came on.
- López, Santiago Simón and Ezequiel Fernández were used.
- José López, Leonel Flores and Valentín Gómez also received minutes.
Álvarez chased a goal with particular determination. Bolivia’s goalkeeper denied him once, he sent a free-kick off target, and he was unable to reach another inviting ball near goal. The Atlético de Madrid forward was left without a finish despite staying on until the final whistle.
Instead, Argentina’s fourth arrived at the end through Flaco López. The goal followed a lively piece of work from Leonel Flores, one of Boca Juniors’ newer youth products. Given only around ten minutes, Flores showed pace, technique and a freshness that fitted the mood of a night built around Argentina’s next generation.
A useful beginning, not a final verdict
Bolivia were not the kind of opponent to provide a definitive measure of the post-Messi era, and the longer-term shape of Scaloni’s team will depend on which players retain their places. Still, Córdoba offered a positive opening chapter: familiar leaders remained in place, the attack found four goals, and Paz, Flores and several other young faces gave Argentina supporters fresh names to follow.
