SAN FRANCISCO, October 13, (THEWILL) – Joaquin Correa, Lazio’s Argentine forward spared the blushes of his country when he came off the bench to score the winner as Argentina came from behind to defeat Bolivia 2-1 in a South American World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Argentina fell behind when Marcelo Moreno Martins found the back of the net for Bolivia after just 24 minutes.
But coach Lionel Scaloni’s men restored parity before half-time when Jose Carrasco’s clearance cannoned in off Lautaro Martinez. With the goal to his name, Martinez became the first Albiceleste player not called Lionel Messi to score in a World Cup qualifier since November 2016.
Correa, in as a substitute for Lucas Ocampos just before the hour mark, fired home the winner with 11 minutes remaining, allowing Argentina claim their first victory in Bolivia for 15 years.
The game began with a very animated Bolivian play. Martins had a chance to put them ahead in the sixth minute but headed Saul Torres’ looping delivery into the side-netting with Argentine keeper Franco Armani scrambling.
Bolivia threatened regularly and it paid off when Martins was left in space by Fiorentina’s centre back Lucas Martinez Quarta and this time around, nodded Alejandro Chumacero’s cross beyond Armani.
ALSO READ: Upset In UEFA Nations League As Ukraine Defeat Spain
Leandro Paredes of Paris Saint-Germain saw his curling 20-yard strike crash back off the post before Argentina drew level in bizarre circumstances when Carrasco’s laboured attempt to clear Martinez’s cutback ricocheted in off the Inter attacker.
In the second half, Argentina sat back, looking to counter-attack at pace as Bolivia went in search of a second goal.
Chances were few and far between until Messi’s delightful throughball fashioned one for Martinez in the 75th minute. However, his cross-goal effort from the right side of the area was turned behind by Carlos Lampe in goal for Bolivia.
When the time came, there was nothing Lampe could do to keep out Correa, with the Argentine’s 79th minute goal allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check confirmed Martinez was onside from Messi’s pass, meaning Argentina left with maximum points from their two qualifiers.
Scaloni’s men now have six points from six in World Cup qualifiers. They return to action next month with a home match against Paraguay, while Bolivia, bottom of the standings after the first two rounds of fixtures, play host to Ecuador.
About the Author
