Bend over or resist the height. Argentina will try to close the first term of the South American WC with another victory, this time against punished Bolivia in La Paz. Star Lionel Messi could be left out of the starting eleven.

The world champions directly climbed to 3,650 meters of the Bolivian capital 48 hours before the game, without first landing in the city of Santa Cruz (east), 400 meters above sea level, as is customary.

On the first day, Argentina achieved a hard-fought 1-0 home win against Ecuador, with a goal from Messi, while Bolivia were thrashed 5-1 by Brazil in Belém.

Star Messi has arrived in La Paz, although coach Lionel Scaloni has not confirmed whether he will start from the start.

’10’ asked for a substitution in the last minutes of the match against the Ecuadorians. “He asked for a substitution,” the coach said, while the player explained that he was “a little tired.”

The best option was to rest the 36-year-old player, who also has an escalation of 12 games in the last 49 days (11 with Inter Miami and 1 with the national team).

No one disputes the favoritism of the Argentines, so it is expected that Messi will score his debut in La Paz.

In the last visit to Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers, Argentina won 2-1.

The inclusion of Messi in the match against the Bolivians will be defined almost at the last moment, after all the checks are done, as predicted by Scaloni.

Argentina would make a few changes to face the Bolivians at the Hernando Siles Stadium.

“More or less, I already have the team in my head, it will be similar to the one that played the other day [ante Ecuador]As long as there are no complications, the team will be similar, Scaloni said.

It is almost the same team that lifted the trophy at the last World Cup.

If Messi does not start from the start, Angel Di María would come in for Nicolás Gonzales, in the left sector. An attack consisting of Lautaro Martínez and Julián Alvarez is also being considered.

At the back is Gabriel ‘Cuti’ Romero, who had a great game against the Ecuadorians, and Scaloni called him “He-Man”, in reference to the strong cartoon hero.

Argentina, in order to withstand altitude sickness, has also appealed to provide its players with small hand-held oxygen tubes.

Bolivia will be hoping to overcome a poor image in their first game against the Brazilians and will look to rely on height again to correct course.

“For Argentina to feel the height, we have to press them and attack,” goalkeeper Carlos Lampe said during one of the last training sessions.

Bolivians know that they have to step towards the top, win all their home games. Waiver of points at home is not an option. (D)