INTERNATIONAL football has taken centre stage over the last week – and it’s more than made up for the Premier League’s absence.
After England’s excellent comeback against Belgium and a stalemate between France and Portugal, it’s time to turn our attention across the Atlantic and the World Cup qualifier Bolivia vs Argentina.
How Messi and Ronaldo compare in head-to-head battles
Bolivia v Argentina, TONIGHT 9pm (Premier Sports)
Argentina’s qualifying campaigns are never dull.
What’s the betting that Lionel Messi retires again by the end of this one?
The little maestro is back for another crack at the World Cup – and let’s face it, this could be his final chance.
After a torturous summer off the field, all eyes are on Messi as he returns home to try lead Argentina to the 2022 Finals.
He’ll be 35 by then and it’s likely to be last chance saloon if he wants to grab that illusive gong.
It’s more than three years since these nations last met, with Bolivia running out shock 2-0 winners in another World Cup qualifier.
Messi was in the stands watching that day, serving a four-match ban for yelling obscenities at a match official.
See, told you it was never dull.
But when you look further back, it’s clear who has history on their side.
La Albiceleste have won four of the last five meetings between the nations, with all of the victories coming without conceding a goal.
That’s an impressive record – and with a charged up Messi in the XI, we expect them to continue that on Tuesday.
The 2022 World Cup could be Messi’s last chance to lift the trophyCredit: Getty – Contributor
Bolivia won their last game, a friendly against Haiti which saw them run out 3-1 victors.
Sounds good, right?
Well before that, they’d lost EIGHT on the spin and haven’t won a competitive fixture since beating Chile 1-0 in September 2017.
Things look bleak then for the home side in the La Paz altitude.
And we reckon this will be a comfortable win for the away team in a game that really matters.
Back Argentina to win without conceding at a whopping XX.
As we’ve already seen, that’s been a winner in four out of the last five H2H’s.
And over 2.5 goals – which has happened on three of the last five clashes – is a Tuesday night money-maker.
Messi is the focal point for his country again but it’s been more than two years since his last hat-trick in an Argentina shirt.
He scored from the penalty spot in the 1-0 win over Ecuador on Friday night which got the Argentinians qualification campaign off to a winning start.
At a hefty price of 15/2, three goals from the little man is something well worth putting a quid on as the Barca superstar looks to show the world he’s still the force he was.
SunSport’s best bets
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
