Bolivia are the team Messi can't just score against (not surprising when he can hardly breathe and he's sick on the pitch)

Lionel Messi drew a blank again against Bolivia as the Argentine goal machine struggled with the rigours of playing at high altitude.



The forward, who has scored 51 goals for Barcelona this season and two goals behind Diego Maradona in Argentina's all-time scoring list, was reportedly sick on the pitch during half-time as he struggled in the thin air of La Paz, more than 13,000 feet above sea level.

Team-mate Angel Di Maria had to be given oxygen on the pitch during the 1-1 draw.

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Altitude sickness: Lionel Messi struggled to breathe in the thin air and was reportedly sick on pitch during half-time

Hard going: Argentina's Angel Di Maria had to given oxygen during the match

The ultimate home advantage

Bolivia play their home matches in the thin air of La Paz, nearly 4,000 metres above sea level. Altitude sickness is usually something that can affect people who climb or travel to more than 2500 metres altitude. It can cause headache, loss of appetite and nausea (feeling sick). Vomiting, feeling tired, dizziness or lightheadedness and difficulty sleeping may also occur. For most people, it causes mild symptoms that improve with rest and time spent at altitude.

Reflecting on the altitude, Messi said: 'It is terrible to play here at altitude, so a draw is a good result for us. Every time you make an effort or play at high pace, you need time to recover.



'Some of the players had a headache and others felt a bit dizzy, but there was nothing wrong with me.'



Bolivia went ahead in the 25th minute when striker Marcelo Martins rose above defender Hugo Campagnaro to head Alejandro Chumacero's right-wing cross past Sergio Romero.

Argentina, who had a good chance for striker Rodrigo Palacio saved by goalkeeper Sergio Galarza with his feet, equalised one minute before halftime.

Messi beat two defenders and fed left back Clemente Rodriguez whose centre was headed home by midfielder Ever Banega past the diving Galarza.

But they might have won had Messi made the most of a late chance.

Messi stole the ball from a defender and came face to face with Sergio Galarza but a moment's hesitation cost him dear and allowed the goalkeeper to block his shot.

Team effort: Javier Mascherano tweeted this picture after the match

Sure shot: Bolivian forward Marcelo Martins celebrates his early strike

One all: Ever Banega's header beats keeper Sergio Galarza

That preserved Bolivia's record as the only South American team to have denied the little ace a goal.

'That's another point we have added and (this result) strengthens the squad (but) we deserved all three,' said Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella.

'Obviously we have good chances (of qualifying), we've gone from moderate optimism to greater optimism,' he said after taking four points in four days following Friday's 3-0 win over Venezuela in Buenos Aires.



Messi was feted by the Bolivian president Evo Morales after Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier for his 'human and sporting qualities'.

Marked man: Messi's new tattoo for his new son Thiago

Nice fit: Messi was given a Bolivian poncho by President Evo Morales, left,

Top man: Messi presented an Argentina shirt to Bolivia's President Evo Morales

VIDEO: Match highlights

VIDEO: Argentina suffer in Bolivia



