Chelsea duo Martinez and Barco feature as Argentina thrash Bolivia

Two Chelsea players were in action as Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in a friendly in Cordoba: goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who captained the side, and Valentin Barco, who came on in the second half. The Premier League returns next weekend, and Chelsea have a 12:30 kick-off.

Emiliano Martinez captains Argentina

According to Chelsea’s website, this was Argentina’s first game since the World Cup final. Martinez played the full 90 minutes, finished with the captain’s armband, and had a quiet evening in goal with one save as Argentina dominated possession and territory.

Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz put Emiliano Martinez’s side 2-0 up at half-time. Cristian Romero scored shortly after the restart, and Flaco Lopez added a fourth late on.

Barco gets his minutes

Barco was introduced on 56 minutes for the side Emiliano Martinez captained, replacing Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni on the left flank. The club describes the 22-year-old as fresh from his full Premier League debut. It says he brought energy and intensity to Argentina’s play. Argentina’s second and final friendly of this window is against Burkina Faso on Saturday evening local time, per the same report.

What is next for Barco and Emiliano Martinez

The Premier League list shows Chelsea v Bournemouth on Saturday 10 October at 12:30, in the league’s fixture amendments. Chelsea’s site also confirms the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Liverpool on Wednesday 28 October, with an 8pm kick-off at Anfield, in its ticket news.

For more Chelsea reading, see Chelsea Women at Lyon: Bompastor’s Champions League homecoming.