Martinez hails Argentina character after win in Bolivia

Lautaro Martinez lauded Argentina’s character after a 2-1 win over Bolivia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Joaquin Correa scored a 79th-minute winner for Lionel Scaloni’s men, who made it two wins from two to begin their qualifying campaign.

It marked Argentina’s first victory in Bolivia since 2005 as they claimed an important win in the altitude of La Paz.

Martinez, who became the first Argentina player not called Lionel Messi to score in a World Cup qualifier since November 2016 when he cancelled out Marcelo Martins Moreno’s opener, was delighted.

“We knew the game was going to be like this. I think this team today showed a lot of heart and a lot of head,” the Inter forward said.

“We are very happy.”

Martinez added: “We had thought about what this game meant for us because of the history.

“We are not going to deny that it is difficult to play here, it changes a lot.”

#SelecciónMayor @Argentina  ganó luego de quince años en la altura de La Paz

https://t.co/0Xaju0Tbr8 pic.twitter.com/i7ht9HIqjf

— Selección Argentina  (@Argentina) October 13, 2020

Martinez also set up Correa’s winner as Argentina backed up their narrow victory over Ecuador.

Argentina coach Scaloni was also pleased with his substitutes, with Correa among them as he netted his second international goal.

“With the changes we always try to improve,” he said.

“They gave us freshness and they entered very well.”