The last time Argentina and Bolivia squared off it was on April 1, 2009 as part of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in La Paz, Bolivia and it was a shocker of a result. Playing at an altitude of 3,637 meters in La Paz is never an easy task, but Argentina couldn't just blame the altitude for being embarrassed. The Bolivians routed them to the tune of 6-1. Let that sink in. 6-1. And to Argentina, one of the world's premier teams, against a team that finished second to the bottom in qualifying. It was as embarrassing a day as there has been for Argentina.
Copa America 2011, Argentina Vs. Bolivia: Revisiting Bolivia’s Domination In La Paz
The massacre started with a Marcelo Martins goal, but Luis Gonzalez answered that for Argentina in the 25th minute. A 34th minute penalty by Joaquin Botero made it 2-1 Bolivia. Alex Da Rosa scored one of his own, Didi Torrico added a late tally and Botero scored two more to finish off the hat trick. The Argentineans walked off the field at Estadio Hernando Siles rightfully embarrassed and wondering what was next.
Argentina had equaled their worst defeat in history and manager Diego Maradona, whose qualifications to manage were questionable at best, was under fire, although that didn’t make him any less outspoken. At that point Argentina was sitting fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying. The fifth place finisher had to play a two-legged playoff to qualify for a World Cup berth so things were looking down for La Albiceleste.
Eventually, Maradona led the team to fourth in qualifying and a World Cup spot. it didn’t erase the memory of the embarrassment in La Paz though. The Argentineans had been taken to the woodshed by a minnow. The 6-1 scoreline was in the record books as a match that marks the low point in Argentina football.
Now they get ready to open Copa America against that same Bolivian side. They should and probably will have their way with Bolivia much the same way that they were demolished in qualifying, but as good as Argentina may look it will not erase the terrible memory from April 1, 2009.
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