Photo: Lionel Messi steers his effort home to give Argetina a 2-1 win over Bosnia (AP)
The magic of the former world footballer of the year Lionel Messi was too much for debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina yesterday as they faced the former world champions Argentina in their first ever game at the FIFA World Cup.
The first influence of Messi on the game came in only the third minute when defender Sead Kolasinac put a free-kick from the Barcelona star through his own net. The expected rout of the small European nation never took place however as they battled bravely against their more illustrious opposition.
The negative tactics of Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella to employ a 5-3-2 formation did nothing to influence the attacking efforts of the ‘Abiceleste’.
A drab first half gave way to a much more entertaining second half as a change in formation and personnel had the desired effect on the Argentine performance.
Bosnia started the second half on the front foot with Izet Hajrovic getting a free kick then a shot on target inside the first ten minutes after the break. Both efforts lacked venom and were easily held by Romero.
The change in formation gave Messi much more time and space on the ball and his influence on the proceedings started to grow.
In the 55th minute he set off on one of his trademark runs before passing to Sergio Aguero who blasted high over the bar from the edge of the area.
Five minutes later it was the turn of substitute Gonzalo Higuain to spurn a chance after being played in by Messi. His tame shot, directly at the keeper, was less than expected.
With his teammates refusing to the get the job done, Messi decided to do it himself. Collecting the ball on the right side of the field, he blew by two defenders before combining with Higuain for a neat give and go. He then evaded two more defenders before unleashing his shot which went in off the upright.
His goal celebrations said it all. A weight of expectations had been lifted off the shoulders of a man from who so much is expected.
Argentina was now in full control and looking to make the game safe. With less than a quarter of the game left Aguero went on a run of his own but his rasping drive went just wide of the upright.
Bosnia refused to go away and gave as much as they could. They managed to pull one back in the 84th minute through substitute Ibisevic whose nicely timed run got him beyond the Argentina defence before he slipped his effort between the legs of Romero.
Messi had the crowd on their feet in the second minute of stoppage time but his effort went into the side netting only. The game finished 2-1 to Argentina, a deserved if not inspiring win.
More will be expected of the team in their second game against Iran.
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