Argentina vs Bolivia: Fans Set Fireworks to Disturb Messi and Teammates at 3am, Video

• Argentina and Bolivia will clash shortly in a South American World Cup qualifier
• The reigning champions won their opener vs. Ecuador while Bolivia lost to Brazil
• Home fans have played dirty by setting off fireworks at the Argentina team's hotel

Bolivian fans are doing everything possible to unsettle Argentina players ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying game in La Paz later tonight.

Argentina comes into the game off the back of a 1-0 win over Ecuador thanks to Lionel Messi's second-half free kick, while Bolivia were crushed 5-1 by Brazil.

The match already has an element of difficulty for the world champions due to the high altitude in their host country, a situation they and other countries have struggled to deal with.

Messi's participation in the game continues to be a mystery. He is travelling with the team after initial concerns he would not make the trip but return to the United States, where he plays for Inter Miami.

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Bolivians set off fireworks at Argentina's hotel

According to an exclusive video by TyC Sports, the host nation's fans have played dirty by setting off fireworks over the Argentina team's hotel at 3am to unsettle the players.

This is not a new tactic - other local fans have attempted to wake players up, disrupting their sleep and mental alertness ahead of the game (as if the conditions for the game aren't already difficult for the world champions).

As noted by Yahoo Sports, La Albiceleste were welcomed by their fans in the country upon their arrival on Monday. The Argentine supporters are expected to be out in their numbers for the game later tonight.

Lionel Scaloni is expected to keep the same side that defeated Ecuador; the only doubt is Messi, whose workload is reportedly being managed due to his hectic schedule with Inter Miami.

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Why Argentina players had oxygen tubes

Sports Brief also reported on fans spotting Argentina players with unusual items as they arrived in La Paz before their second 2026 World Cup qualifier game against Bolivia.

The items were identified as oxygen canisters, meant to help deal with possible altitude sickness in the South American nation, which is over 11,000 feet above sea level.