LA PAZ, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Argentina rested captain Lionel Messi but they still made light work of Bolivia as they won 3-0 to claim their second victory of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.
Angel Di Maria took over as captain in Messi's absence and shone, providing two assists before halftime.
"It's two games in, we knew it was important to get six points for what's to come," the 35-year-old Di Maria told Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports.
Nicolas Tagliafico doubled the lead and scored his first goal for World Cup holders Argentina with a header from a Di Maria free kick in the 42nd minute, before Nicolas Gonzalez's powerful strike sealed the win in the 83rd.
Elsewhere in the second round of CONMEBOL qualifiers, Uruguay play Ecuador, Venezuela host Paraguay, Colombia face Chile, and Brazil visit Peru later on Tuesday.
Persons:
Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Di Maria, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, Di Maria's, Fernandez, Roberto Fernandez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Maria, Nicolas Gonzalez's, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis
Organizations:
LA, TyC, World, Argentina, CONMEBOL, Thomson
Locations:
LA PAZ, Argentina, Bolivia, Argentine, La Paz, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico