Four goals and a new captain: Argentina's first match of the post-Messi era

Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, in the national team's first match since Lionel Messi retired from international football. 1

Cristian Romero wore the captain's armband for the first time and headed the third goal. Argentina had not played since losing the World Cup final to Spain on July 19. 2

Lautaro Martínez scored the first in the 19th minute, running onto Alexis Mac Allister's pass and beating Guillermo Viscarra with a low shot. Nico Paz made it 2-0 in the 29th, lifting Exequiel Palacios's through ball over the goalkeeper. Romero headed the third in the 54th minute from a Paz corner. 23

José Manuel López, on as a substitute, scored the fourth in the 86th minute for his first goal for Argentina. A López finish two minutes earlier had been disallowed for offside. 2

Argentina finished with 69% of possession and 16 shots to Bolivia's two, and Bolivia did not put a shot on target. 2

Scaloni settled the captaincy order before the match: Romero first, Emiliano Martínez second and Lautaro Martínez third, with Messi and Nicolás Otamendi both retired from the national team. 4

Romero scored the third goal, then came off in the 56th minute and passed the armband to Emiliano Martínez. 5

The No. 10 is being kept for Messi. Scaloni said before the Bolivia match that he would not give the shirt to anyone until Messi's farewell appearance against Benin on Oct. 6. 6

The stands behind both goals were closed at the Kempes by a FIFA disciplinary sanction on the AFA. FIFA found racist, homophobic and discriminatory chanting from Argentina supporters at five World Cup matches, against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England and Spain, and ordered a fine plus the closure of half the stadium for the first match of this window. 7

The tickets still on sale sold out within hours. Saturday's match against Burkina Faso at the Monumental will be at full capacity, because the second half of the sanction was suspended while the AFA appeals it, and all stands will be open for the Benin match on Oct. 6. 7

The Universidad de Buenos Aires will make Messi a doctor honoris causa on Oct. 6, hours before the Benin match. Its governing council approved the title unanimously, citing his career and what it called an example of excellence, perseverance and humility. 8

Messi also won MLS's AT&T Goal of the Matchday for Matchday 28, taking 80.2% of the fan vote for his free kick at Columbus Crew on Sept. 27, his second win in three matchdays. 9

Messi is due in Buenos Aires on Sunday and will play only the Benin match, his farewell appearance.