\n
\nLA PAZ, Bolivia: Argentina expected a struggle in the altitude of La Paz. The World Cup champions\u2019 climb appeared even steeper with Lionel Messi out of the lineup.<\/p>\n
\nArgentina still beat Bolivia 3-0 on Tuesday in their second match of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s now two for two in qualifiers for coach Lionel Scaloni\u2019s team, who were led by veteran \u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda and a strong midfield.<\/p>\n
\nUruguay had the chance to join Argentina atop the standings table, but lost 2-1 at Ecuador. The Ecuadorians now have moved back to zero; they started the tournament at -3 after having three points deducted by FIFA for the falsification of birth information of defender Byron Castillo, who is of Colombian origin.<\/p>\n
\nThe 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada is expanding to a 48-team format. The top six teams in South America will secure a direct spot. The seventh-place team will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.<\/p>\n
\nBOLIVIA 0 ARGENTINA 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\nArgentina defined the match in the first half with two goals, kept its pace in the second half and added a third near the final whistle. A red card for Bolivia\u2019s Roberto Fern\u00e1ndez in the 39th minute also made it less troublesome for the Argentinians.<\/p>\n
\nEnzo Fernandez opened the scoring in the 31st from close range after a low cross by Di Mar\u00eda from the right. The veteran striker also took part in the second goal \u2014 lifting the ball into the penalty box from a free kick in the 42nd for Nicolas Tagliafico to score with his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\nNico Gonz\u00e1lez added Argentina\u2019s third in the 83rd with a crossed shot from the edge of the box that passed to the right of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra.<\/p>\n
\nMessi applauded the goals from the bench in a stadium where 14 years ago he saw Argentina get hammered by the hosts by 6-1.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe altitude is psychological,\u201d Di Maria told journalists after his team\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n
\nMessi, the 36-year-old Inter Miami star, was neither in the starting lineup for the World Cup champions nor on the bench. Last week, he scored from a free kick to give Argentina a 1-0 home win against Ecuador in its first competitive international since winning the World Cup last December.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHe was not up to playing … he did not feel comfortable,\u201d Scaloni said. \u201cWe did not take risks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMessi\u2019s absence disappointed many Bolivians, including hundreds of local fans who turned out to welcome him to the country Sunday evening.<\/p>\n
\nECUADOR 2 URUGUAY 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\nA goal in each half from defender Felix Torres erased Ecuador\u2019s points deficit in the standings in the competition.<\/p>\n
\nUruguay opened the scoring in the 38th minute with Agust\u00edn Canobbio from close range in one of the few moments that Ecuador did not dominate the first half.<\/p>\n
\nTorres equalized with a header in first-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n
\nEcuador and their physical game continued to thrive against a young Uruguayan team in the second half. A quick play by 16-year-old Kendry P\u00e1ez on the left flank ended in a low cross and Torres scoring again in the 61st.<\/p>\n
\nThe second goal gave relief to a crowded Casa Blanca Stadium in Quito. Eleven minutes earlier, striker Enner Valencia missed a penalty kick.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat matters is that we did not get desperate,\u201d Valencia said. \u201cThis is our first victory and we will keep making ourselves stronger here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAlso on Tuesday, Chile and Colombia drew 0-0 and Venezuela beat Paraguay 1-0 with a goal from the spot by Salom\u00f3n Rond\u00f3n moments before the final whistle. It was the 33-year-old striker\u2019s 40th goal for his national team.<\/p>\n
\nThe next games in South American World Cup qualifying will be played in October.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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