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last-gasp winners

Argentina stars bring oxygen tubes to cope with extreme altitude in Bolivia for World Cup qualifier

ARGENTINA'S World Cup winning stars are having to use oxygen tubes to deal with the high altitude ahead of their clash with Bolivia.

The Albiceleste take on Bolivia tomorrow night in a World Cup qualification match up at the Hernando Siles Stadium.

The Argentina squad are having to use oxygen to deal with the high altitude in Bolivia
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The Argentina squad are having to use oxygen to deal with the high altitude in BoliviaCredit: AFP
They face the Bolivian squad in the Hernando Siles Stadium tomorrow night
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They face the Bolivian squad in the Hernando Siles Stadium tomorrow nightCredit: Getty
The ground is almost 12,000 feet above sea level
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The ground is almost 12,000 feet above sea levelCredit: Getty
Alexis Macallister posted a photo of him using an oxygen tank on the team bus
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Alexis Macallister posted a photo of him using an oxygen tank on the team busCredit: instagram @alemacallister

The football ground, which is in the La Paz region of Bolivia, will likely raise a different kind of challenge for the Argentinian squad with its altitude sitting at a whopping 11,932 feet above sea level.

The high altitude means players will find it more difficult to catch their breath and as a result they have been seen carrying around personal oxygen tanks.

Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister has even posted a picture of himself using a handheld tank to take on board the right amount of oxygen whilst on the team coach.

And the Argentina team aren't the only visitors to the Bolivian stadium that have resorted to using oxygen tubes.

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In 2017 Brazil players were also pictured using the tanks to make sure their oxygen levels were up to scratch.

Brazil players were pictured taking on board oxygen when they played Bolivia in 2017
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Brazil players were pictured taking on board oxygen when they played Bolivia in 2017Credit: Instagram @cbf_futebol

Being anywhere more than 6000 feet above sea level can cause breathlessness, dizziness and headaches.

But it's not just the physical problems that Argentina will have to cope with, but the altitude could also mean Lionel Messi is taken out of the starting 11.

The Inter Miami star was subbed off during Argentina's 1-0 victory over Ecuador last week and boss Lionel Scaloni might not feel he can risk him at the crazy heights.

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Speaking ahead of the Bolivia game, Scaloni said: "Leo was tired the other day and asked to be substituted.

"But it’s not needed that we speak to him before matches. We see as it goes.”

Messi is a doubt for the World Cup winners' clash despite scoring the only goal in their win against Ecuador last week
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Messi is a doubt for the World Cup winners' clash despite scoring the only goal in their win against Ecuador last weekCredit: Getty
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