Joaquin Botero netted a hat-trick and Marcelo Martins, Alex Da Rosa and Didi Torrico all scored one each for the Bolivians. Lucho Gonzalez brought Maradona's side level in the first half but the onslaught that followed stunned Argentina.

The coach said after the game that he felt each goal "like a dagger in the heart", but refused to lay the blame on the controversial venue of the defeat - the Estadio Hernando Siles which sits at 3,600metres above sea level.

Instead he heaped praise on the Bolivian team, saying: "We were only able to do what Bolivia allowed us to. Bolivia were better at everything all across the pitch.

"We really didn't expect this. Nobody could have guessed this result before the match. They won deservedly."

Maradona could not put his finger on any specific reason for the heavy defeat, but admitted his side had not played at the same level as they did in the 4-0 win over Venezuela on Saturday.

"The result is impossible to explain," he said. "Every time Bolivia approached us, they scored even with (Argentina keeper Juan Pablo) Carrizo in good form.

"They played good football and we didn't do anything that we'd been doing until now. That is why the gap in the scores was so wide."

He added: "I was surprised by us. We did not have many goalscoring chances. We failed to track back and stop Bolivia from attacking us.

"Bolivia shot from long distance and scored every time. Every one of their players played very well, from the goalkeeper to the last substitute. They all did their job well."

The win means Bolivia still sit second from bottom in the South American qualifying group, but it does move them up to 12 points - four shy of fifth-placed Uruguay who have played a game less.

While their chances of qualification for the World Cup remain slim, Bolivia coach Erwin Sanchez said it is a goal his team must still aim to achieve.

"Like I said after the Colombia match, as long as it is mathematically possible, we must keep working," he said.

"We don't want this victory to simply be some joy for the country. We hope we can be stronger at home. We cannot lose more points at home.

"Mathematically, we still can play the World Cup. We'll fight until the end."

Sanchez came in for heavy criticism after his side's last match - a 2-0 defeat to Colombia - and despite the big win today Sanchez was not convinced the critics of his team would be silenced.

"Not even Jesus Christ was loved by everyone, so not all the Bolivians will like us," he said.