Late goal gives Argentina 2-1 win over Bolivia

Argentina's Lionel Messi in action Juan Karita/Pool via Reuters

Argentina's Lionel Messi in action Juan Karita/Pool via Reuters

LA PAZ, October 14 (Reuters): A late goal from Joaquin Correa helped Argentina come from behind to beat Bolivia 2-1 on Tuesday and maintain their 100% record in the South American World Cup qualifiers.

Bolivia took the lead after 24 minutes when captain Marcelo Martins rose unmarked to head home a cross from the left.

However, Argentina, who beat visitors Ecuador 1-0 in their opener last week, equalised seconds before halftime when a clearance from defender Jose Maria Carrasco hit Lautaro Martinez just yards from goal and flew into the net.

Correa got Argentina’s winner with a sweet left-foot strike 11 minutes from the final whistle as Bolivia suffered another defeat following their 5-0 thrashing away to Brazil last week.

The top four sides in the 10-team South American group qualify directly for the finals at Qatar 2022 and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff.