TL;DR
Argentina is set to open its international break with a friendly against Bolivia in Córdoba, with Lionel Messi’s impending national-team retirement shaping attention around the match. The preview projects a 4-4-2 lineup and a 3-0 Argentina win, but injuries and the final team selection remain uncertain.
Argentina will host Bolivia at Córdoba’s Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in a friendly that begins an emotional international break for the world champions, according to Sports Illustrated’s preview. Attention is focused on Lionel Messi’s planned national-team retirement and on how coach Lionel Scaloni will shape the side without its longtime captain in the period ahead.
Sports Illustrated reports that Messi, 39, confirmed his retirement from the national team after the World Cup. He was included in Scaloni’s 28-player roster for three friendlies in this international window, but the preview says he will not play against Bolivia or Burkina Faso. A farewell appearance is planned for next week at a sold-out Estadio Monumental against Benin.
The projected Argentina lineup against Bolivia is a 4-4-2: Emiliano Martínez in goal; Agustín Giay, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Nicolás Medina in defense; Giuliano Simeone, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Nicolás González in midfield; and Nico Paz alongside Lautaro Martínez up front. This is a predicted lineup, not a confirmed team sheet.
Juan Foyth and Thiago Almada have withdrawn from the roster because of injuries, the report says. Nicolás Tagliafico has a muscle issue but has not been ruled out. Romero has been named Messi’s successor as captain and is expected to wear the armband. The preview predicts a 3-0 Argentina win; that score is an assessment, not a match result.
Argentina Tests Its Post-Messi Shape
The friendly gives Scaloni an early opportunity to assess how Argentina can distribute creative responsibility as Messi approaches retirement. The preview identifies Nico Paz as a possible playmaker and says younger players such as Franco Mastantuono could be integrated alongside the experienced core. Their roles in this match, however, will depend on selection and playing time.
For supporters, the match also sits between Argentina’s World Cup campaign and Messi’s planned farewell. It offers a first look at the team in a period of change, while a friendly against Bolivia cannot by itself establish how Argentina will perform against top-level opposition.
A Familiar Rival in Córdoba
Argentina has a strong historical record against Bolivia, winning 30 of 42 meetings, according to the source. Bolivia last beat Argentina in 2017 and has never beaten the team on Argentine soil. These figures provide background to the matchup; they do not determine the outcome of this game.
The report describes Argentina’s schedule around the World Cup as light on tests against elite opposition and notes that Bolivia is ranked 77th. It also recalls that Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain after Ferran Torres scored against a ten-man side. The preview says post-match conduct by Argentina players drew widespread criticism and that Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina received lengthy suspensions.
Final Team and Fitness Questions
Argentina’s official starting lineup had not been confirmed in the supplied report. Tagliafico’s availability remains unsettled because of his muscle issue, while the source does not specify whether the injured withdrawals will affect further selections. It also does not provide a confirmed Bolivia lineup.
The report gives the kickoff as Wednesday, Oct. 30, while listing 12 a.m. BST on Oct. 1 for the UK. Those date details appear inconsistent, so readers should check the tournament or broadcaster schedule for the local kickoff date. The source lists Fanatiz, fuboTV, TyC Sports Internacional and ViX for viewers in the United States, and Fanatiz Canada in Canada; it says broadcasts are not available in the United Kingdom or Mexico.
Three Friendlies Before Farewell
Argentina is scheduled to play Bolivia first, followed by Burkina Faso during the international window. The preview says Messi is expected to be honored in a farewell match against Benin next week at the Estadio Monumental. Scaloni’s selections and the minutes given to younger players will offer early indications of how he plans to manage the transition after Messi’s international career ends.
The match result, final lineups and any updates to player availability remain to be confirmed. The 3-0 scoreline is the preview’s prediction; Argentina’s performance against Bolivia will settle the result on the field.
Key Questions
When is Argentina vs. Bolivia?
The preview lists kickoff as Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. ET, but its listed UK time falls on Oct. 1. Check the official schedule because the date details conflict.
Will Lionel Messi play against Bolivia?
The report says Messi is included in the roster but will not play against Bolivia or Burkina Faso. It says a farewell appearance is planned against Benin next week.
What is Argentina’s predicted lineup?
The projected formation is a 4-4-2, with Nico Paz and Lautaro Martínez up front. The full predicted lineup is listed in the article; it is not a confirmed team sheet.
What is the score prediction?
Sports Illustrated predicts Argentina 3-0 Bolivia. This is a forecast, not a confirmed result.
Source: google-trends
