On Wednesday, September 30, Argentina hosted Bolivia at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba for an international friendly match, with Argentina notably missing their star player, Lionel Messi.
The game saw a dynamic flow of play, with both teams engaging in numerous attempts and tactical maneuvers. Argentina maintained pressure, generating several opportunities, including two corner kicks in quick succession around the 63rd and 57th minutes, both conceded by the Bolivian defense led by Roberto Fernández and Marcelo Tórrez.
Key Moments and Substitutions
In the second half, Argentina introduced fresh legs to bolster their attack, making multiple substitutions at the 55th minute: Franco Mastantuono came on for Nico Paz, while Valentín Barco replaced Gianluca Prestianni. These changes aimed to increase offensive threat and maintain momentum.
Despite Argentina’s persistent offensive efforts, including headers from Alexis Mac Allister and Lisandro Martínez, several attempts missed the target. Mac Allister’s header from close range in the 64th minute sailed too high, while Martínez’s header from the center of the box went wide to the left at the 58th minute. Additionally, Román Vega’s left-footed shot was blocked by the Bolivian defense.
Bolivia, meanwhile, responded with their own efforts; Jesús Maraude took a left-footed shot from inside the box in the 59th minute, but it went high and wide. Miguel Terceros earned a free kick in Bolivia’s defensive half at the 67th minute, signaling moments of resistance against Argentina’s attacking pressure.
The match experienced a brief delay at the 60th minute due to an injury to Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez, pausing the game’s rhythm before play resumed promptly.
Throughout the match, fouls and free kicks punctuated the contest, with Román Vega and Héctor Cuéllar among the players committing fouls, while Mac Allister and Barco won free kicks for Argentina at critical moments in the attacking half.