Argentine winger Ángel Di María. (Photo : Getty Images)
World football powerhouse Argentina (2-1-2, 8 points) is set to meet lowly team Bolivia (1-4-0, 3 points) at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, Argentina for a CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifying match on March 29th, Tuesday as the team tries to extend their winning run to three games.
Argentina welcomed back five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi in their lineup against 2015 Copa America winners Chile last Thursday at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, which resulted in a 2-1 victory for La Albiceleste, as reported by ESPN.
La Roja opened the scoring at the 11th minute with a strike from FC Twente winger Felipe Gutierrez off a cross by forward Fabian Orellana toward the bottom-right corner of Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero's net amidst the home crowd's raucous approval.
Head coach Gerardo Martino's boys did not take long to respond, though, with an equalizing goal by Romero's former Manchester United teammate Angel Di Maria nine minutes later.
After that, Argentina took over the lead with a goal by defender Gabriel Mercado from a superb assist by Messi at the 25th minute which eventually became the game-winner.
With the win, Argentina climbs to the fifth spot of the tournament table, tied on points with Brazil and Paraguay but has a lesser goal difference. The team is also five points behind current leaders Ecuador.
Meanwhile, Bolivia lost for the second straight time, fourth time overall in five outings, with a sorry 2-3 defeat in the hands of Colombia at their home stadium of Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz during the previous matchday, via Goal.
Colombia scored the first two goals of the high-scoring game in the first half from two of their star players, Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez and AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca, at the 10th and 41st minutes respectively.
However, La Verde fought back in the second half, unleashing two goals of their own to tie the count at 2-2, courtesy of winger Juan Carlos Arce and defensive midfielder Alejandro Chumacero at the 50th and 62nd minutes.
Los Cafeteros had the final say in the game, though, as substitute midfielder Edwin Cardona netted the winner in injury time to steal the three points away from Julio Cesar Baldivieso's side.
The predicted result is a 2-0 victory for Argentina.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Romero; Rojo, Funes Mori, Otamendi, Mercado; Banega, Kranevitter, Biglia; Di Maria, Agüero, Messi
Bolivia starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Quinonez; Morales, Zenteno, Eguino, Saavedra; Cardozo, Bejarano, Lizio, Chumacero; Ramallo, Arce
