Messi scores twice as Argentina thrash Bolivia 4-1

Cuiabá, Brazil, Jun 28 (EFE).- Lionel Messi struck twice to guide Argentina to a 4-1 win over Bolivia in their Copa America Group A match at the Arena Pantanal stadium in Cuiabá on Monday to seal the top spot and book a quarterfinal game against Ecuador over the weekend.

In the 6th minute, Messi chipped a pass to Alejandro Darío Gómez, commonly known as Papu Gómez, who struck a volley past Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Argentina won a penalty in the 31st minute, which Messi converted with ease, before striking again in the 42nd minute off a lob pass by Sergio ‘el Kun’ Agüero, which the Argentinian captain looped over Lampe.

Erwin Saavedra pegged one back for Bolivia in the 60th minute, but Lautaro Martinez netted Argentina’s fourth goal five minutes later.

Argentina ended top of Group A with 10 points while Bolivia, already eliminated, are bottom with zero points. EFE

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