Audio By Carbonatix
Argentina brushed aside Bolivia 3-0 to finish as Copa America Group D winners.
Erik Lamela, Ezequiel Lavezzi and defender Victor Cuesta were all on target in the first half before the second became a training exercise for the Albiceleste.
Argentina's 10 goals in the group stage equalled the record for the competition, in its centenary edition, and they will face surprise package Venezuela in their quarter-final in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Argentina were on the front foot from the outset and took the lead in the 13th minute when Edward Zenteno crudely brought down Lavezzi and Lamela's free-kick went in via a deflection off Yasmani Duk in the wall.
And almost immediately it was 2-0 when, from Facundo Roncaglia's cross, Gonzalo Higuain's header was only parried and Lavezzi pounced right-footed.
Duk was forced off with a bizarre injury when team-mate Luis Gutierrez robustly blocked Roncaglia and he clashed heads with the Bolivia frontman, who was replaced by Diego Bejarano.
Half an hour elapsed before the crowd began chanting for Lionel Messi, who was left on the bench, though they broke off to cheer a third goal when Bolivia failed to clear a set-piece and Lavezzi's cross-shot was diverted in by Cuesta for his first international goal.
Bolivia keeper Carlos Lampe saved from Higuain in first-half stoppage time.
Messi was introduced at the break but Bolivia's Jhasmany Campos tried to steal his thunder by going for goal directly from the kick-off, his side's first attempt.
Messi whipped a free-kick just wide, nutmegged Lampe having been flagged offside and then shot just over from long range with the keeper off his line, but the match had long since dissolved into an exhibition.
Argentina finished having had 82 per cent of possession, completing 757 passes to Bolivia's 61.
-
Follow Joy Sports on Twitter: @JoySportsGH. Our hashtag is #JoySports
Latest Stories
-
Police nabs 3 drug suspects in Tamale
8 minutes -
The surprising benefits of a glass of orange juice
9 minutes -
31 remanded over invasion of Apamprama Forest Reserve
17 minutes -
One year of President Mahama: Leadership that rebuilt trust – Dr Callistus Mahama writes
33 minutes -
Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over Nigeria crash that killed two
46 minutes -
Joseph Ayinga-Walter: Ode to Melita Happy Kutorkor Antiaye
47 minutes -
Christians usher in 2026 with prayers, declarations and renewed hope
56 minutes -
Ahmed Ibrahim rallies traditional, religious leaders support for peace buildingÂ
59 minutes -
Bus returning from 31st night prayer kills 2, injures dozens at Assin Dansame
1 hour -
Political parties must stay out of local governance – Andrew Bediako
1 hour -
Beyond Witchcraft: Why preparation, not spiritual fear, determines success
1 hour -
Margaret Korme Tetteh
2 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi’s work at Goldbod in few months would take someone five years – Ato Forson
2 hours -
From Accra to Wuzhen: The Ghanaian schoolgirls making their mark in global AI
2 hours -
Ghana must prioritise value addition to sustain IMF gains – Prof Asuming
2 hours
