With Lionel Messi omitted from Argentina’s matchday squad after his heroics against Ecuador, Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez stepped up and guided his country to another victory

Lionel Messi couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after Enzo Fernandez scored for Argentina (Image: Photo by JORGE BERNAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Enzo Fernandez left Lionel Messi beaming from ear to ear after the Chelsea star put Argentina ahead against Bolivia. The 22-year-old midfielder helped his country continue their flawless start to the World Cup qualifying campaign, with Lionel Scaloni’s side waltzing away from the Hernando Siles Stadium 3-0 victors.

Fernandez handed La Albiceleste the lead after the half-hour mark before Nicolas Tagliafico doubled their advantage just moments before the break. Nicolas Gonzalez then buried the tie late into the second-half with a fine strike, beating Guillermo Viscarra at his near post.

With Messi omitted from the matchday squad following his heroics against Ecuador earlier in the international break, the Chelsea midfielder seemingly enjoyed the chance to guide Argentina to another three-points. And, it’s fair to say that he earned the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s approval.

As Fernandez wheeled away in celebration after scoring an archetypal Frank Lampard goal, the camera panned to Messi on the sidelines. The Inter Miami captain was grinning like a Cheshire Cat and simply couldn’t stop smiling.

Following his first match in La Paz – the world’s highest capital city at 3,625 meters above sea level – the Blues ace revealed what it was like to play in the difficult conditions. As quoted by ESPN, Fernandez said: “I’m a bit choked, the altitude feels a lot, but I adapted well. The game is like that. It’s hard to catch my breath, but I felt very good.”

With Fernandez – once again – proving that he’s capable of being an incredible asset in the final-third, Mauricio Pochettino could encourage his fellow countryman to let shots fly against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this weekend. Last month, the Chelsea boss said: “He is a number eight.

“One of the first things when we met him is to talk about his position and how he feels comfortable, and then to talk about his quality. He needs some freedoms. He has the quality to assist, to shoot from outside the box.”

Earlier this summer in July, Pochettino also noted: “Always it is a pleasure with Enzo. He is very humble, he is a fighter also and he’s a fantastic player, world champion with Argentina and I am so proud of him.

“I am Argentine also and I shared happiness when they won the World Cup. It is a pleasure when you have a player like him in the squad.”