Argentina vs. Bolivia: Score and Recap from 2015 Friendly

While Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano were busy winning a UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona on Saturday, their countrymen were having little difficulty brushing aside Bolivia in an international friendly. 

Behind a hat-trick from Sergio Aguero and a brace from Angel Di Maria, the Argentines stomped the Bolivians, 5-0. 

It didn't take long for Argentina to strike. Di Maria, wearing the captain's armband for the first time in the absence of Messi and Mascherano, ripped home a shot in the 25th minute that found the back of the net after a lovely pass from Javier Pastore set him up. 

Four minutes later, Ezequiel Lavezzi was fouled in the box, and Aguero stepped up to take the penalty. Bolivian keeper Romel Quinonez guessed correctly and dove the right way, but Aguero's shot was simply too powerful and well-placed and gave the Argentines a 2-0 lead.

Two minutes later, Aguero made it three. After Bolivia cleared a Di Maria corner, the Manchester United man got the ball back on the flank and sent another cross into the box, this time finding a streaking Aguero whose jumping flick on the ball beat Quinonez once again. 

Bolivia managed to get to the half without any more damage being done, but Aguero wasn't done punishing them. In the 51st minute, he managed to shake free from his defender and get a shot off, again beating Quinonez with an absolute howler. 

That was a significant goal for Aguero, per soccer writer Juan Arango:

"

With hat-trick, @aguerosergiokun now has 26 goals and surpassed Gonzalo Higuaín and Luis Artime to become fifth all-time for @Argentina

— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) June 7, 2015"

The romp was complete in the 55th minute, as Di Maria stepped up to the spot after Argentina were awarded another penalty and calmly scored Argentina's fifth goal.

Argentina certainly look like the favorites to win the upcoming Copa America. Aguero and Di Maria seem to be in top form, Messi remains the world's best player and the Argentines are fresh off of last summer's trip to the World Cup final, where they lost a close match to Germany, 1-0. 

Mascherano was already looking ahead to the Copa America amid his Champions League celebrations, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Indeed, Bolivia can attest to the fact that Argentina will be a tough out at the Copa America. The Argentines have so much talent, especially in the attack, so it's hard to bet against them.