Argentina suffered its worst defeat in World Cup qualifying when they wilted 6-1 against Bolivia at high altitude on Wednesday.

The result eclipsed the 5-0 defeat against Colombia in 1993 and ruined the early promise shown under coach Diego Maradona, who had earned three victories in three games with no goals conceded since he took over last November.

Maradona said he wanted to tell Argentines "that I suffered with them, every Bolivia goal was a stab to the heart."

"This is the first time losing has happened to me," he added. "Hopefully this will be the only time."

The thrashing matched the two-time world champion's worst World Cup result, a 6-1 hiding from Czechoslovakia at the 1958 tournament.

Most of the Argentine squad - 16 out of 23 - had never played in the Bolivian capital 3,600 metres above sea level, and they arrived only two hours before kickoff.

But Maradona wouldn't give as an excuse the team's minimal time at altitude and lack of experience of it.

"We have to give the merit to Bolivia," he said. "They played well, played good football. We didn't do what we came here to do and paid for it."

Maradona last year defended playing football at altitude following a FIFA decision to ban international games above 2,500 meters. He even played with Bolivia President Evo Morales in the city.

"What hurt me most is that we did not know how to stop the Bolivian attacks," Maradona said. "I feel mad and I am expecting revenge but that will have to wait."

Bolivia, who remained second to last in the South American race, celebrated its first win over Argentina in 12 years.The Bolivians matched their most goals against Argentina by halftime, when they led 3-1 at Hernando Siles Stadium.

Joaquin Botero claimed a hat trick in the 33rd, 56th and 66th minutes.

Marcelo Martins opened the scoring for Bolivia in the 12th, and Luis Gonzalez equalized after 24 minutes.

Brazilian-born Alex Da Rosa and Didi Torrico also scored for the home side.