Argentina beat Bolivia without Messi; Flaco López scores first goal and Otamendi will accompany Messi in farewell against Benin

In his first appearance after the vice-world championship, Seleção Argentina , without Lionel Messi , beat Bolivia 4-0 on Wednesday in a friendly played at Mário Kempes Stadium in Córdoba.

Argentina will have a farewell friendly against Benin, and Lionel Messi will be joined by Nicolas Otamendi.

In terms of context, friendlies like this usually have symbolic and practical weight: they are not valid for classification but serve to observe performance, adjust movements and give rhythm to athletes who reach the selection or resume routine call-up.

The 4-0 score against Bolivia indicates a game of control, especially when the young promise Nico Paz appears as the driver of the goal. In preparatory matches, the ability to turn superiority into goals helps give confidence to the offensive sector, while defensive behavior is also observed by the technical committee.

In this scenario, the absence of Messi can be interpreted as an opportunity to distribute responsibilities, but does not eliminate public attention, since the team comes from a world championship runner-up and carries the interest of the fans.

For the next engagement, the farewell friendly against Benin gains different contours. It is not just about preparation, but an event with emotional and symbolic value. The presence of Nicolas Otamendi as Messi's companion in a farewell suggests a celebration of trajectory, bonding and recognition within one's own group. In such matches, the sports result usually takes a backseat, and the focus lies on gestures, tributes and how the selection organizes the moment so that he will be remembered.

In summary, the text shows two layers: the sporting one, with the goal against Bolivia, the lead of Nico Paz and Flaco López's first goal; and the affective, with a farewell against Benin and Otamendi's company alongside Messi.