Lionel Messi scored a superb goal as Argentina began their World Cup
campaign with a win over World Cup debutants Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Argentina went ahead when Messi's free-kick was put into his own net by defender Sead Kolasinac.
Messi then played a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, jinked past two defenders and rifled in to make it 2-0.
"We were sat there in the stadium and there was a
real sense of disappointment throughout the crowd. Everyone wanted to
see Lionel Messi light the place up, but I think he was playing with us
and he came out in the second half and showed what he can do.
"He scored that goal and came to life, he was floating about and getting into some good positions. Messi was the defining factor."
"He scored that goal and came to life, he was floating about and getting into some good positions. Messi was the defining factor."
The goal lifted Argentina and, despite Vedad Ibisevic slotting in late on for Bosnia-Hercegovina, they held on.
All eyes were on Messi in the first game of the
tournament at the famous Maracana stadium in Rio and, even though the
four-time World Player of the Year took time to get going, he announced
his arrival in sparkling style with his goal.
The strike was his second World Cup goal in nine games
and provided the one piece of mesmerising magic Messi managed in a game
in which he and Argentina improved the longer it progressed.
The blue and white of Argentina fans was prominent at
the spiritual home of fierce rivals and hosts Brazil, although they had
to watch on as a disciplined Bosnia stifled their side for most of the
first half.
There was huge hype around Messi and Argentina getting
their campaign under way, and the forward helped his side take an early
lead with his first meaningful touch.
He supplied the left wing free-kick which was flicked
on by team-mate Rojo before the ball came off defender Kolasinac and
went into his own net.
However, Argentina rarely looked like adding to the
goal as they lacked pace and invention, while regularly giving the ball
away.
Bosnia slowly settled into the match and created
sporadic chances, starting with a Miralem Pjanic shot being punched away
by keeper Sergio Romero.
Pjanic also opened up Argentina when he clipped a ball
over the top of their defence, which Izet Hajrovic brought down only for
Romero to quickly come out and save.
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano had a powerful
low shot blocked away by Bosnia keeper Asmir Begovic before Bosnia again
went close to equalising.
Key facts
- Argentina captain Lionel Messi has scored 39 goals in 87 internationals
- Messi played 623 minutes of World Cup football between his first and second goal. His first goal (v Serbia & Montenegro) was scored on 16th June 2006
- Vedad Ibisevic has scored Bosnia-Hercegovina's first goal in World Cup history
- Bosnia finished with more attempted shots (16) and more shots on target (6) than Argentina (12 and 2)
Senad Lulic managed to steal in and get on the end of a corner but his low header was palmed away by Romero.
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella brought on Higuain
and Fernando Gago after the break and the move from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3
worked as La Albiceleste had more urgency about them after the
reshuffle.
The improvement culminated in Messi's eye-catching
goal. He played a one-two with Higuain before his balance, poise and
pace helped him to evade two Bosnia defenders on the way to arrowing in
an 18-yard shot off the inside of the post.
Bosnia gave Argentina some late concern when Lulic
slipped a pass through for Vedad Ibisevic to angle in a low shot with
six minutes left, but Sabella's side avoided any more scares.
Bosnia-Hercegovina improved after letting in an early own goal
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has 39 goals in 87 internationals
Ibisevic celebrates scoring Bosnia-Hercegovina's first goal in World Cup history
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