Without Messi, Argentina empty-handed in 2018 World Cup qualifiers

After FIFA decided to ban Lionel Messi from four matches, the team immediately suffered a 0-2 defeat on the field of Bolivia.

Messi smiled as he arrived at the field to prepare for the match, before receiving an emergency penalty from FIFA. Photo: Reuters.

Goal:Arce 31', Moreno 52'

The FIFA sanction, handed down just hours before the game, may have had a negative impact on Argentina's morale and tactical planning. The World Cup runners-up were ineffective in attack and conceded goals from Juan Carlos Arce and Marcelo Moreno.

In addition to Messi, who was accused of insulting the assistant referee during last weekend's win over Chile, Argentina will be without six stars including Otamendi, Mascherano, Biglia, Higuain, Mercado and Emmanuel Mas. The first four players have received enough yellow cards, while the latter two are injured.

Having to compete at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level in Bolivia, where Argentina has not won since 2005, is also a difficulty for coach Eduardo Bauza's team.

Argentina (blue and white striped shirt) are like a headless snake without a leader on the field.

In fact, Argentina did not start too badly, when Ever Banega and Angel Di Maria were given chances but missed. They must have regretted it a lot, because then Bolivia started to develop.physical and mental advantage to dominate the field, score goals.

In the 31st minute, Arce overcame Roncaglia's marking to head the ball past goalkeeper Sergio Romero, opening the scoring for Bolivia. Things got worse for Argentina when defenderRamiro Funes Mori had to leave the field on a stretcher. Then, eight minutes into the second half, the visitors' net was up again.Roncaglia made another mistake this time, allowing Marcelo Moreno to easily finish in an unmarked position.

Pushed into a corner, Argentina could not fight back. Lucas Pratto and Angel Correa both showed poor form, while Sergio Aguero did not leave much of an impression after coming on as a substitute.

Coach Bauza (left) bowed his head in defeat on the Bolivian field.

The defeat pushed Argentina from third to fifth in the South American World Cup qualifying group. This is also the place for the play-off team, while the four teams above it will qualify directly for the World Cup. Argentina will need to improve their form in the final four matches if they are to avoid missing out on the finals in Russia next summer.

According to VNE