La Paz  - Former world top scorer Joaquin Botero was the hat- trick hero for Bolivia as they stunned Argentina 6-1 Wednesday in the South American World Cup qualifiers.

"Bolivia was better than us and gave us a thrashing that would have seemed impossible if we had thought about it before the game," Argentina coach Diego Maradona said. "They did well to beat us, and we have to start again. Bolivia has been better than us in every corner of the pitch."

Botero, who scored 49 goals for Club Bolivar in 2002, scored from the spot in the first half and then added two in the second half to give Bolivia a huge victory against Maradona's team.

Marcelo Martins put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute, but Luis Gonzalez equalized for the two-time world champions 13 minutes later. Botero gave his side the lead again in the 33rd minute, and Alex da Rosa widened the gap before the break.

Botero again scored in the 54th and the 65th minute, while Didi Torrico made the final score 6-1 just three minutes before the end of the game, amid shouts of "Ole!" from the stands.

It is always difficult for visitors to deal with the high altitude of La Paz, more than 3,600 metres above sea level, but the result was far wider than any observer could have predicted.

Argentina, which had only allowed seven goals in 11 previous qualifiers, had arrived at the game fresh from a 4-0 win over Venezuela in Buenos Aires, while Bolivia had lost 2-0 to Colombia over the weekend.

Argentina remain second in the group with 19 points, while Bolivia have 12 and are ninth. Both teams have played 12 games.

Argentine television commentators called the performance "humiliating" and a "historic embarrassment" for the national team in its second competitive game under new coach Maradona, who called the result "inexplicable."

As for his own men, Maradona was critical and said they did none of what they had planned ahead of the match.

"Argentina surprised me. I was surprised by the fact that they created so many chances," he said. "Every goal by Bolivia was a knife in the heart."

Bolivia coach Erwin Sanchez said that "everything went perfect."

Argentine media were stunned by the defeat.

The daily La Nacion spoke of a "missing team," while Clarin called the team "a shadow." (dpa)