Round 2 of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in South America: La Paz waits for a surprise

3 days after the opening match of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in South America ended without any surprises, in the early morning of October 14 (Vietnam time), 10 national teams will enter the second match.

The opening match of this round is the match between Bolivia and Argentina. On Saturday, Bolivia suffered a heavy defeat early in the campaign, with 5 goals conceded in the match against Brazil. The gap in level is so different that the away team is like an amateur fighter facing a warrior, so they can only stand still in Sao Paulo.

A day earlier, Argentina had 3 full points when hosting Ecuador in Buenos Aires. The only goal was scored by Lionel Messi from the penalty spot. Despite having 3 points, Argentina still has to be in 4th place, because in addition to Brazil winning 5-0, Colombia also won 3-0 and Uruguay scored more goals (won Chile 2-1).

By the nature of building a bridge, Bolivia is expected to have to "take out the basket to hold the ball" when Argentina is no less good than Brazil. However, although Bolivia is always considered the weakest opponent in the region, they still have an important weapon to create a huge challenge for any team.

That is the yard of a house in La Paz, at an altitude of 3,600m above sea level. In the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay all did not win at Hernando Siles Stadium. Just counting the qualifiers, Bolivia is on a 5-match unbeaten streak at home.

For Argentina alone, in their 4 visits to La Paz since 2001, they have only won 1 match (in March 2015). The other two matches ended in draws and the remaining match was one of La Albiceleste's most painful memories, with a 1-6 defeat in April 2009, a match in which Messi also participated.

Playing at such an altitude is truly a challenge for all opponents. Maybe Argentina at this time has many young and energetic players, but experience in regulating physical strength is important when playing at La Paz. Not being careful would be a regrettable slip for Argentina.

Brazil will also visit this round, but Peru is not a very tough opponent for them. The home team has declined significantly compared to previous years and they are on a streak of 4 consecutive matches without a win. But interestingly, their most recent win was against Brazil, in a friendly match in September 2019.

Of course, in official matches it will be a different story, because in the last 12 meetings in the qualifiers or Copa America, Peru has only won once, while Brazil has won 8. It will also be a bit more difficult than against Bolivia, but Brazil's high-performing strikers can solve the match.

In other matches, James Rodriguez's form will be proven when Colombia visited Chile, who have not scored any points. Can Luis Suarez shine against Uruguay again when Ecuador is also a team with physical strength and a very uncomfortable home field?

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