Argentina struggled throughout the World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Hernando Siles, 3,600metres above sea level.

Coach Diego Maradona gracefully refused to blame the conditions for his side's horrendous defeat but Messi was more outspoken.

"Playing in La Paz is impossible," he said. "You cannot get your breath back after a run and they (Bolivia) were better in every way, they played in a high rhythm and hit us in the right moments.

"I do not want to contradict Diego. It is only an opinion after playing there. Some team-mates think the same, but we do not want to use this as an excuse.

"Bolivia did everything perfectly and we could do nothing.

"Nobody imagined anything like this but we have faith we can get over and clinch the qualification for the World Cup. We still have six games left."

Angel Di Maria replaced Maxi Rodriguez in the 57th minute but was sent off just six minutes later.

The Benfica forward revealed Maradona calmed him down after his dismissal for a rash kick.

"Diego told me to be calm, that I am a young guy, that it can happen to anyone and you can learn from mistakes," Di Maria said.

"It is the first time it has happened in my career. I hope it will never happen again."

Goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, who made several excellent saves but also looked unsteady at times, said: "We didn't find a way to manage the ball, we didn't manage to play.

"We suffered a lot. I did what I could but it was impossible. We felt too tired."