ACUÑA AND PAPU GÓMEZ FEATURE IN ARGENTINA'S 3-0 WIN AGAINST BOLIVIA

The unusual three-match international break in South America came to an end in style. After the match against Brazil was abandoned, Argentina were able to put their disappointment behind them in the early hours of Friday morning by comfortably beating Bolivia at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, in front of a crowd of 17,000, 30% of the stadium's capacity. 

Lionel Scaloni called on the services of both Marcos Acuña and Papu Gómez for this fixture, with both players starting, while Gonzalo Montiel was an unused substitute after he played the five minutes against Brazil. Argentina controlled the match, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick to break Pelé's record for most international goals scored by a South American. Marcos Acuña played the full 90 minutes, whereas Papu was replaced by ex-Sevillista Joaquín Correa on the hour mark. 

Argentina are still second to Brazil in the qualifiers, but both teams have a game in hand, against each other. This was also Argentina's first home match in front of their fans since they won the Copa América in Brazil in July.