Can Bolivia respond after the break? Turning the scoreline around may be ambitious given the form of both sides, but La Verde will be eager to ensure it remains respectable at the very least.
Argentina very much in command at the halfway point in Cuiaba. Papu Gomez opened the scoring with a thumping volley early on, while Lionel Messi’s brace has put daylight between themselves and a helpless Bolivia.
45′ + 2′ HALF-TIME: BOLIVIA 0-3 ARGENTINA
45′ Another chance for Aguero from a similar angle. But once again, he can only drag it marginally wide of the target.
44′ JUST WIDE! Aguero looking to get in on the act and the ball drops kindly for him on the volley. However, he sees it go marginally wide of the far post.
42′ Aguero demonstrated wonderful vision and execution to pick out the run of Messi, who did the rest in classy fashion.
L. Messi
Goal
42′ MESSI!!! 3-0 ARGENTINA! It’s a second for Messi and La Albiceleste are cruising. The skipper times his run to latch onto Aguero’s delightful lofted through ball, before lobbing the advancing Lampe to double his tally for the day.
39′ GOOD EFFORT! Space opens for Chura to try his luck from distance. There is plenty of power in his long-range strike, which Armani is forced to turn away.
38′ Champions in 1963, Bolivia also reach the Copa America final in 1997. However, La Verde have only reached the knockout stages of the competition on one occasion since.
36′ Argentina go in search of a third as Correa unleashes a fierce effort from the edge of the box that sting Lampe’s palms. But Bolivia survive on this occasion.
34′ Bolivia look to respond immediately and a corner is met by Bejarano. However, he cannot connect cleanly with the header, which is gathered by Armani.
L. Messi
Penalty Goal
33′ MESSI!!! 2-0 ARGENTINA! The skipper calmly tucks the ball away from the penalty spot. La Albiceleste have breathing space in Cuiaba.
31′ PENALTY TO ARGENTINA! The referee points straight to the spot after Justiniano brings down Gomez in the box. Messi will step up to the spot.
29′ Ironically, it was defeat by Brazil in the 2019 semi-finals that subsequently sparked Argentina’s 16-match unbeaten run. They will be desperate for that to culminate in them lifting the trophy in this event.
27′ They may be 14-time winners of the Copa America, but you must go back to 1993 for Argentina’s most recent triumph. La Albiceleste have been runners-up in four of the six most recent tournaments.
25′ Argentina still a goal to the good as we pass the midway point in this first half. Fair to say they have been good value for their lead thus far.
23′ Palacios neatly lofts the ball over the top of the defence, looking for the run of Messi. However, Lampe is quickly out of goal to gather before the Argentina skipper can get there.
21′ Argentina enjoying plenty of possession as they put a patient move together inside the Bolivian half. But their momentum is eventually halted by the offside flag.
18′ Elsewhere in Group A, Paraguay and Uruguay are still goalless. Should that scoreline remain, a draw would be enough for Argentina to progress as group winners.
16′ Record-breaking Messi pulling the strings once more; seeking out the run of Acuna on this occasion. But there is just too much power on his attempted pass, which goes behind for a goal kick.
14′ Messi looking to combine with Aguero as Argentina go in search of a second goal. However, the Bolivia defence stands firm for now.
12′ Bolivia have tasted victory just three times in their last 43 matches. Can they end that wretched run against an Argentina side that are unbeaten in 17?
10′ Of course, it is still early days, but Argentina should be confident of seeing this through. After all, Bolivia have lost each of their last 11 matches in the Copa America.
8′ A purposeful start to the contest by Argentina, who are demonstrating the desire to keep their momentum going heading into the knockout stages of this competition.
L. Messi
Assist
6′ Messi was the provider with a delicious chipped pass for Gomez to connect with.
A. Gómez
Goal
6′ GOMEZ!!! 1-0 ARGENTINA! A terrific goal by La Albiceleste! Correa punches a pass into the feet of Messi, who clips a delightful ball over the top of the Bolivian defence for Gomez to brilliantly smash home on the volley.
5′ Today sees Aguero become the seventh player to reach 100 Argentina caps after Messi, Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Angel Di Maria and Diego Simeone.
3′ GOOD GOALKEEPING! Lampe called into action almost immediately, but produces a wonderful double-save to deny Aguero and Correa from close range following Gomez’s burst into the box.
1′ The referee blows his whistle and Argentina get the match underway!
The players are out and kick-off is just moments away.
Argentina have lost just seven of their last 40 meetings with Bolivia; winning five of the most recent six.
With Argentina’s place in the knockout stages already secured, Lionel Scaloni makes six changes from the win over Paraguay. But the big news surrounds a certain Lionel Messi, who becomes his country’s record appearance maker outright with 148. Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero earns his 100th cap.
Cesar Farias makes four changes to the side that began Bolivia’s defeat by Uruguay last time out. Gilbert Alvarez replaces Rodrigo Ramallo at the spearhead of the attack, while Boris Cespedes and Diego Bejarano come into midfield and Luis Haquin is recalled in defence. However, captain Marcelo Moreno must settle for a place on the bench once more.
SUBS: Agustin Marchesin, Juan Musso, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Dominguez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Lautaro Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo de Paul.
ARGENTINA (4-2-3-1): Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna; Guido Rodriguez, Exequiel Palacios; Angel Correa, Lionel Messi, Papu Gomez; Sergio Aguero.
SUBS: Javier Rojas, Marcelo Moreno, Henry Vaca, Erwin Sanchez, Rodrigo Ramallo, Juan Carlos Arce, Moises Villarroel, Enrique Flores, Jairo Quinteros, Diego Wayar, Jose Sagredo, Ruben Cordano.
BOLIVIA (4-1-4-1): Carlos Lampe; Erwin Saavedra, Luis Haquin, Adrian Jusino, Roberto Fernandez; Leonel Justiniano; Jeyson Chura, Ramiro Vaca, Boris Cespedes, Diego Bejarano; Gilbert Alvarez.
Argentina can secure top spot in Group A today; providing they match second-place Paraguay’s result against Uruguay. Meanwhile, bottom side Bolivia’s elimination has already been confirmed, but La Verde will want to exit the competition on a high.
Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of the Copa America clash between Bolivia and Argentina at Arena Pantanal.
S. Agüero
Assist