The all-South American contest represented the first of Argentina’s two friendlies before the focus turns to Lionel Messi’s final international appearance against Benin on October 6.
And Lautaro Martinez wasted little time in making his case to be a regular starter in the post-Messi era, finding a way past Guillermo Viscarra shortly before the midway point of the first half.
The Inter Milan star received possession on the edge of the box and patiently waited for the Bolivian backline to slightly drop, thereby creating the space for him to drill a precise shot into the bottom corner.
Prior to the contest, Lionel Scaloni confirmed that no player would wear the special number 10 shirt until after Messi’s farewell game, although Nico Paz is likely to be near the front of the queue when the Argentina boss decides on the 39-year-old’s successor.
As the game neared the half-hour mark, the Como attacker produced a sumptuous finish worthy of the iconic jersey, latching onto Exequiel Palacios’s defence-splitting pass before delicately lifting over Viscarra to net his second international goal.
Oozing with confidence, Paz turned provider in the opening stages of the second period, firing in an outswinging free-kick for newly-appointed captain Cristian Romero to power a header in off the post, his final act before being swiftly withdrawn in a triple change.
Understandably, the substitutions disrupted Argentina’s rhythm, although they still managed to extend their advantage in the closing stages through Flaco Lopez’s first goal for his country.
Just moments after having an effort ruled out for offside, the substitute battled to win possession in the box and then proceeded to prod the ball home.
The late effort wrapped up a fourth consecutive head-to-head win without conceding, while condemning Bolivia to a fifth straight defeat, a worrying run they will attempt to end in their next outing against Gambia.
Now, just one game separates the Albiceleste from what promises to be an emotional evening when Messi bows out after a glittering international career.
