Juan Carlos Arce and Marcelo Martins were on target as Bolivia claimed a comfortable victory at Estadio Hernando Siles.

However, much of the focus was on Barcelona playmaker Messi, who was banned for four international matches for abusing an assistant referee during last Thursday's win over Chile.

Argentina plan to appeal the ruling, but with the ban handed down hours before kickoff Bauza was left bemused by the timing of FIFA's announcement.

"When the rumour began to settle, the concern began to take on more volume,'' he said following the loss. "It seemed strange that in one day everything could be done, that we did not have time to make an appeal.

Lionel Messi missed out on Argentina's loss to Bolivia after being suspended for insulting a referee in their previous match.

"We did not have time to work with someone else. Now the corresponding procedure for the appeal is being processed.''

With Colombia and Chile both winning, Argentina slipped to fifth in the South American qualification race -- with only the top four teams earning an automatic ticket to Russia next summer.

Despite having had his tactics disrupted in the build-up, Bauza admitted his side had underperformed in the first half.

"We try to get prominence to Bolivia, the second half the team improved slightly,'' he added.

"Bolivia won well. We must think in what's coming. We are alive and wanting to qualify for the World Cup.

"We know that this is going to be a struggle and we will keep fighting.''