Argentina battered by 6 goals in WC qualifiers

Bolivia has kept its slim 2010 World Cup hopes alive by humiliating former legend Diego Maradona's squad 6-1, handing Argentina its worst defeat in over 60 years. 

The host dominated the Wednesday match from star to finish. It only took Marcelo Martins 12 minutes to score the opener for Bolivia and set La Paz's Hernando Siles Stadium on fire. 

Little did Luis Gonzalez know that his 24th minute equalizer would prompt the opponents to step up the already mounting pressure on a shaky looking Argentina. 

Bolivia's Joaquin Botero scored a hat trick, in the 33rd, 56th and 66th minutes and Brazilian-born Alex Da Rosa and Didi Torrico also scored for the home side to make Argentina suffer its worst defeat in more than 60 years. 

Maradona had earned three victories in three games with no goals conceded since he took over last November. However, the recent result casts doubt over his qualifications as coach. 

"To say to the fans that I suffered with them, (that) every Bolivia goal was a stab to the heart, what more can I say?" Maradona said. 

"If we had dreamed this was going to happen before the game, we would have thought it was impossible," he added. 

Maradona further praised the Bolivian outfit for their great performance in the match. 

"We have to give merit to Bolivia who were better than us in every part of the field," he explained. "Bolivia played a great game and hit the target with every attack. They all played well from the goalkeeper to the last substitute." 

Argentina finished the game with 10 men as Angel Di Maria was shown the red card in the 64th minute. 

Argentina now stands forth with 19 points out of 12 games while Bolivia stands second-to-last with 12. Paraguay leads the South America table with 24 points, followed by Brazil and Chile with 21 and 20 points respectively.