Although Lucho Gonzalez brought Diego Maradona's side level in the first half but the onslaught that followed stunned Argentina.

Marcelo Martins, Alex Da Rosa and Didi Torrico scored one each in the historic win with Botero particularly potent for Bolivia.

Argentina had beaten Venezuela 4-0 on Saturday but were a completely different side tonight while Bolivia also discarded the form book.

Bolivia started the match positively - perhaps helped by the controversial altitude factor, 3,600metres above sea level - and tested goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo with several early shots.

The Lazio custodian saved a left-footed shot by Martins after Luis Gatti Ribeiro penetrated Argentina's defence from the right in the ninth minute, 60 seconds before the keeper also stopped a Da Rosa strike from outside the box.

Bolivia took the lead deservedly in the 11th minute as Martins was assisted by Botero and profited from a defensive mistake by Emiliano Papa to open the scoring with his right foot.

Seconds later, a long-distance shot by Botero could have doubled the lead but the ball went wide.

Argentina struggled to regroup until Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez began to capitalise on Bolivia's defensive mistakes.

In the 20th minute the Barcelona star tried to lob the ball over Bolivia keeper Carlos Arias after combining with Tevez but Arias saved.

Five minutes later, Arias was not so reliable as he failed to stop a long-distance shot by Lucho Gonzalez, who netted his first goal in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers to level the match.

Bolivia scored a timely second after Argentina had wasted further chances.

In the 33rd minute Arias saved an attempt by Messi after another defensive error by Bolivia and, in the following play, Carrizo failed to collect the ball and Javier Zanetti fouled Da Rosa in the box.

Botero gave the hosts the lead from the spot.

Twelve minutes later, Messi's free-kick was saved by Arias who then launched the ball forward with Papa making a crucial mistake. Botero then found Da Rosa who headed home before the half-time whistle.

Bolivia needed only nine minutes after the interval to stretch the scoring as Martins eluded Papa again and Botero headed the ball to score his third goal.

Maradona tried to mix things up by sending on Angel Di Maria for Maxi Rodriguez only for the young winger to be sent off in the 63rd minute for a bad foul on Ronald Garcia.

Three minutes later Botero caused Papa nightmares again, netting his side's fifth goal before Torrico added another three minutes from time.