Maradona's Argentina thrashed 6-1

LA PAZ (Reuters) - Bolivia ended Argentina's 100 percent record under Diego Maradona in style by thrashing them 6-1 at high altitude in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Striker Joaquin Botero led the charge with a hat-trick which included a penalty, while Marcelo Martins, Didi Torrico and Brazilian-born Alex da Rosa shared the others at 3,600 metres above sea level.

Luis Gonzalez replied for the visitors who suffered their worst defeat since their 5-0 home loss to Colombia in 1993.

Argentina's misery was complete when substitute Angel di Maria was sent off after only seven minutes on the pitch.

Maradona's team have 19 points from 12 games in the 10-team South American group while Bolivia have 12 points.

Argentina, who had won their first three games under Maradona without conceding a goal, looked breathless in the rarefied air and struggled with a pitch more suitable for grazing cattle than international soccer.

Their attempts to keep possession were thwarted as the ball bobbled around as if in a park game while Maradona, who last year supported Bolivia's campaign to be allowed to stage games in La Paz, looked on helplessly.

Bolivia employed their usual tactic of peppering the visitors goal with long-range shots, hoping the unusual flight of the ball would catch out goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

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