Argentina beats Bolivia 4-0 in first match after Lionel Messi's international retirement

On October 1, 2026, Argentina defeated Bolivia 4-0 in Córdoba in their first match since Lionel Messi announced his international retirement. Goals came from Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Paz, Cristian Romero, and José Manuel López. Messi, who has 125 goals for Argentina, will play a farewell match against Benin in Buenos Aires next Tuesday. Meanwhile, African national teams are using the international window for friendlies, with Benin and Burkina Faso traveling to Argentina, Gambia to Bolivia, and Nigeria and Namibia to Russia. Tunisia cancelled a friendly with Mali due to poor form.