2 Apr 2009

Bolivia beat Argentina in La Paz

11:47 am on 2 April 2009

Bolivia have ended Argentina's 100 percent record under Diego Maradona in style by thrashing them 6-1 at high altitude in a Fifa World Cup qualifier in La Paz.

Striker Joaquin Botero led the charge with a hat-trick which included a penalty, while Marcelo Martins, Didi Torrico and Brazilian-born Alex da Rosa shared the others at 3,600 metres above sea level.

Luis Gonzalez replied for the visitors who suffered their worst defeat since their 5-0 home loss to Colombia in 1993.

Maradona's team have 19 points from 12 games in the 10-team South American group while Bolivia have 12 points.

Argentina, who had won their first three games under Maradona without conceding a goal, looked breathless in the rarefied air and struggled with a pitch more suitable for grazing cattle than international soccer.