Argentina will have the chance to start their World Cup qualifying campaign with back-to-back victories when they travel to La Paz for Tuesday's clash with Bolivia.

While the world champions are hoping to follow up Thursday's victory over Ecuador, the hosts will have to pick themselves up from a heavy defeat to Brazil.

Match preview

The expanded 48-team World Cup presents an opportunity for Bolivia to reach the Finals for the third time in their history.

However, their hopes of making their first World Cup finals appearance since 1994 have not been helped by the tricky fixture list, which has presented them with two difficult opening fixtures against international heavyweights Brazil and Argentina.

Their qualifying campaign began with a forgettable outing against five-time World Cup winners Brazil, who cruised to a 5-1 victory courtesy of braces from Rodrygo and Neymar in addition to Raphinha's second-half effort.

Victor Abrego's 78th-minute strike offered little consolation to Bolivia, leaving it up to Gustavo Costas to lift his side for Tuesday's contest against his home nation.

Having lost their last five qualifiers, La Verde will go into the daunting fixture against the world champions as massive underdogs.

Argentina's motivation has shown no signs of waning despite lifting their third World Cup trophy in December following a penalty-shootout victory over France in the final.

Since claiming the ultimate prize in Qatar, La Albiceleste have recorded five consecutive victories by a combined 14-0 scoreline.

The latest win took place against Ecuador in Buenos Aires on Thursday when Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic to curl a 78th-minute free kick past goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, ensuring that Argentina began their qualifying campaign with maximum points.

As a result of Messi's golden touch, the 1-0 win extended Argentina's unbeaten run to 11 games, while their group-stage defeat to Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup remains their only loss in the last 48 matches.

Argentina will be confident of continuing their fine run of form on Tuesday, having won seven of their previous eight encounters against Bolivia, including their most recent meeting in September 2021, which produced a comfortable 3-0 victory thanks to a Messi hat-trick.

Team News

After being introduced in the second half against Brazil, Luciano Ursino could be brought into the Bolivian midfield for Tuesday's encounter.

Despite coming off the bench to score Bolivia's only goal of Friday's heavy defeat, Abrego may have to settle for a place among the substitutes, with experienced striker Marcelo Moreno set to retain his starting position.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra could have his work cut out, but he will be hoping to have some protection from the back five of Diego Medina, Jairo Quinteros, Adrian Jusino, Marcelo Suarez and Roberto Fernandez.

As for the visitors, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni could decide to start Messi on the bench after the 36-year-old picked up a knock in the narrow win over Ecuador.

Lisandro Martinez is unlikely to be risked after struggling with a foot problem sustained in Manchester United's recent 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

There were also concerns over the fitness of Cristian Romero, but the Tottenham Hotspur defender is expected to be fit to take his place in central defence alongside Nicolas Otamendi.

Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Viscarra; Medina, Quinteros, Jusino, Suarez, Fernandez; Bejarano, Villamil, Ursino, Arrascaita; Moreno

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Gonzalez, La. Martinez

We say: Bolivia 0-3 Argentina

Even if Messi does not start Tuesday's contest, Argentina boast a wealth of top-quality players that should prove too strong for a Bolivia side low on confidence following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Brazil.

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