With the surprise of Lionel Messi missing the starting XI once again, Argentina clashed against an already eliminated Bolivia side. The Argentines had substitute players inside the starting XI, names such as Ezequiel Lavezzi, Erik Lamela and Sergio Aguero were the ones with the task of getting a new victory to end their group stage with a perfect run. We can already say, that this Argentina side is the maximum favorite to lift the trophy by the end of the tournament.
Without even breaking a sweat, they got ahead in the score line early in the game with an Erik Lamela free-kick that got deviated by the Bolivian men-barrier. Before the fifteen minute Lavezzi scored after a deflected Higuain header for Argentina's second goal. Fifteen minutes later, defender Victor Cuesta scored his first ever goal with Argentina after a Lavezzi cross from the right flank. It almost seemed like the Argentine's were in practice against Bolivia.
But the real doubt tonight at Century Link Field in Seattle was knowing if Lionel Messi would play and please the fans, manager Martino responded quickly by letting Lionel start from the beginning of the second half. But the order from the coach, was to not risk any injuries or unnecessary fouls from the Bolivian team, we saw a more relaxed Messi without breaking a sweat. Argentina was already victorious and were the only team in Copa America who won all their games. They are set to face Venezuela in the quarter finals.
Photo credit: Conmebol