HOURS after Lionel Messi was suspended by FIFA for four World Cup qualifying matches, Argentina lost 2-0 to Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz on Tuesday and heightened its risk of missing a spot at Russia 2018.

    Argentina’s archrival and tournament leader Brazil, meanwhile, had a 3-0 win over Paraguay to assure it cannot finish lower than fifth in qualifying — a spot which guarantees at least a playoff against a team from Oceania for a place in the World Cup.

    The top four in South America earn direct places at the World Cup in Russia next year. Brazil leads with 33 points from 14 matches.

    Argentina dropped from third to fifth, remaining on 22 points with four games to play and putting coach Edgardo Bauza under intense pressure to step aside.

    While Argentina struggled, Colombia had a 2-0 win at Ecuador, posting its first win in Quito in 20 years and ensuring it will end the round in second or third spot. Ecuador dropped out of the top five for the first time, slipping to sixth with 20 points.

    Brazil’s beat seventh-place Paraguay in convincing fashion, extending its streak to eight straight wins.

    Of the five defenders Bauza wanted to field against the ninth-place Bolivians, only left-winger Marcos Rojo was available. Still, the Argentinians seemed to be handling the Bolivians, creating the best opportunities in the first 30 minutes. But then striker Juan Arce headed home a cross from Pablo Escobar in the 32nd minute to open the scoring for the hosts.

    The Argentina started losing condition at altitude and Bolivia capitalized via striker Marcelo Moreno, who fired home from close range after a cross from Flores to make it 2-0 in the 52nd.

    Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Sao Paulo was party-like for the 44,000 fans in attendance for another Brazil masterclass. All three goals showed either great skill or consistent teamwork.

    The opener was scored at 33 minutes when midfielder Philippe Coutinho ran to the right flank, counted on Paulinho’s dummy pass to give him space so he could poach it from the edge of the box.

    (SD-Agencies)