Argentina began life after Lionel Messi's international retirement with a comfortable 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia on Wednesday at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba.
It was the team's first match since losing the World Cup final to Spain in extra time. Messi announced his international retirement last month and did not play.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 19th minute, finishing into the far corner from an Alexis Mac Allister pass. Nico Paz doubled the lead 10 minutes later with lifting the ball over goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra after a pass from Exequiel Palacios.
Cristian Romero wore the captain's armband in Messi's absence and made it 3-0 in the 54th minute with a header from a Paz set-piece. Substitute Jose Manuel Lopez sealed the win in the 86th minute with his first goal for Argentina, soon after having one disallowed for offside.
Coach Lionel Scaloni's side controlled the game throughout while Bolivia created little danger.
Messi will wear the No.10 shirt one last time in a farewell match against Benin in Buenos Aires next Tuesday. He played 207 games for Argentina and is the country's all-time top scorer with 125 goals including 21 at World Cups.
Before that Argentina host Burkina Faso in a friendly at the Monumental on Saturday.
