Messi scores as unconvincing Argentina beat Bosnians

World Cup action in Group F kicked off at the Maracana this evening with one of the big tournament favorites Argentina, with their star and the planet’s most popular footballer Lionel Messi, out to erase bad memories of South Africa where he failed to score, facing the tournaments only debutantes Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the first time that the Balkan team was playing at a major tournament since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, so they had already created history. Whether or not they would’ve created more was left to be seen. It didn’t take long for the Argentines to stamp their authority in the game. In as early as the third minute, the South Americans got a free kick which Messi whipped into the Bosnian penalty area, Marcos Rojo flicked it on, but Kolasinac – the Bosnia number 5 couldn’t adjust his feet in time and the ball ended up in the back of his own net.  1-0 Argentina. Not quite the start the Balkan team wanted. They were now trailing against one of the world’s best teams.

Bosnia was not to be outdone though. Soon enough Hajrovic made a fantastic run from midfield to pick up a delightful through ball from Pjanic but he couldn’t control it and the Argentine goalkeeper arrived in time to clear the danger. In the 25^th Rojo of Argentina became the first man in the referee’s book for a challenge on a Bosnian player. In the 33^rd minute Dzeko had a chance to put Bosnia level but he skied his shot. In the 40^th minute the Eastern Europeans won a corner and a brilliant header from Lulic was blocked by Romero in the Argentine goal. It was the Bosnians’ best chance of the half. At the break, the South Americans were in front by a goal to nil.

At the resumption the Bosnians won a corner but couldn’t take advantage and another opportunity went a begging. They then won a freekick but still couldn’t trouble the Argentine goal. In the 61^st a promising play from Messi was blocked by the Bosnian back line. Argentina then won a freekick when Saphic fouled Aguero which drew the former a yellow card. However Messi skied the ensuing freekick high and wide. Then came the moment Argentine fans will remember for years to come. Messi picked up a ball and after a one two with Higuain, shook off a couple of Bosnian defenders, before firing his shot passed a hapless Begovic in the Bosnian goal. After eight years the Argentine Maestro had finally scored another World Cup goal. The South Americans now had a cushion as the Bosnians were now in a deeper hole. Susic the Bosnian coach then made a couple of substitutions to try to get his team back on level terms. He replaced Mujdza, Hajrovic and Misimovic in the 69^th, 71^st and 74^th minutes respectively with Ibisevic, Visca and Medujanin.

It would be Ibisevic who gave the Eastern Europeans hope as he became the first player from Bosnia to score a goal for his country at the World Cup. In the correct net that is. There was still six minutes for the Bosnians to mount a comeback.  Luckily for the Argentines, they managed to avert the late danger and hold on for the three crucial points.