Argentina suffer worst defeat in 60 years

Maradona said he wanted to tell Argentines "that I suffered with them, every Bolivia goal was a stab to the heart." "This is the first time (losing) has happened to me," he added.

"Hopefully this will be the only time." The thrashing matched the two-time world champion's worst World Cup result, a 6-1 hiding from Czechoslovakia at the 1958 tournament.

Most of the Argentine squad - 16 out of 23 - had never played in the Bolivian capital 3,600 meters above sea level, and they arrived only two hours before kickoff.

But Maradona wouldn't give as an excuse the team's minimal time at altitude and lack of experience of it.

"We have to give the merit to Bolivia," he said.

"They played well, played good football. We didn't do what we came here to do and paid for it." Maradona last year defended playing football at altitude following a FIFA decision to ban international games above 2,500 meters. He even played with Bolivia President Evo Morales in the city.

"What hurt me most is that we did not know how to stop the Bolivian attacks," Maradona said.

"I feel mad and I am expecting revenge but that will have to wait." Bolivia, which remained second to last in the South American race, celebrated its first win over Argentina in 12 years.

The Bolivians matched their most goals against Argentina by halftime, when they led 3-1 at Hernando Siles Stadium.

Joaquin Botero claimed a hat trick in the 33rd, 56th and 66th minutes.

Marcelo Martins opened the scoring for Bolivia in the 12th, and Luis Gonzalez equalized after 24 minutes.

Brazilian-born Alex Da Rosa and Didi Torrico also scored for the home side.

Bolivia had lost 2-0 against Colombia in Bogota on Saturday in a game during which coach Erwin Sanchez decided to rest several regular starters including strikers Martins and Botero.

The plan worked to perfection against an opponent in positive mood following a 4-0 defeat of Venezuela on Saturday.

Bolivia pressured from the first whistle, playing at top speed.

After Martins' goal, Argentina tried to respond with Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi probing for an opening but failing to function on the same wavelength.

Argentina was a shadow of the side famed for its one-touch passing and possession. Errors were commonplace and the defense was penned back against a Bolivia side that attacked incessantly and refused to relent.

A poor clearance from the Bolivian defense proved the only route to goal for Argentina. Gonzalez's long shot took goalkeeper Carlos Arias by surprise and flew into the back of the net.

Bolivia showed no mercy for the rest of the match, however.

Botero scored from a penalty, then as the first half ticked down, he cut in from the left and delivered a cross that Da Rosa buried with a header.

In the second half, Argentina tried to reorganize, cut space and hit on the break, but Bolivia continued pressing.

The combination between Botero and Martins again produced when Martins crossed for Botero to head home the fourth goal.

The outlook worsened for the Argentines in the 64th when Angel Di Maria was shown a red card.

With Argentina a man down, Bolivia scored a fifth when Botero struck following a pass by Luis Gatty Ribeiro.

Torrico scored from long distance to add gloss to the final scoreline.

--- Lineups:

Bolivia: Carlos Arias, Luis Gatty Ribeiro, Juan Manuel Pena, Ronald Rivero, Leonel Reyes (Ignacio Garcia, 53), Ronald Garcia (Walter Flores, 78), Didi Torrico, Alex da Rosa (Mauricio Saucedo, 68), Alejandro Gomez, Marcelo Martins, Joaquin Botero.

Argentina:

Juan Pablo Carrizo, Javier Zanetti, Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Emiliano Papa, Maxi Rodriguez (Angel Di Maria, 56), Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Luis Gonzalez (Marcos Angeleri, 68), Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez (Daniel Montenegro, 75).

Sapa-AP