Argentina defeats Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 - 1 at Estadio Macarana in the opening game of Group F Sunday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina made an initial lead against Argentina as defender Sead Kolasinac socres an own goal after Lionel Messi's free kick was struck through the net, lifting the spirits of the Argentineans. However, Argentina was unable to add another goal all throughout the first half of the match despite a higher possession rate (55%).
Nevertheless, Argentina performed much better during the second half of the match. Along with a pro-Argentinean crowd cheering for the Lionel Messi, the superstar football player adds another point for Argentina as he rolls past a defender and scores another goal with a left-footed shot during the 65th - minute mark.
Rio Ferdinand, a former England defender, commends Messi on a statement in BBC News: "He scored that goal and came to life, he was floating about and getting into some good positions. Messi was the defining factor."
"It is hard to play against Messi," Bosnia Coach Safet Susic said in what will no doubt be the understatement of the World Cup. "I had thought of man-marking him for 90 minutes, but that is impossible. But all of my players knew that whenever he had the ball we had to be close to him," he notes The New York Times.
"Messi is the best player in the world," Argentina's coach, Alejandro Sabella, said flatly. "Beyond whatever happens in this World Cup."
Despite Argentina's successive goals, Bosina and Herzegobina's manages to fight back after it secures its first goal on its debut performance at the World Cup after Vedad Ibisevic strikes with a left-footed shot, assisted by Senad Lulic.
Argentina will soon face Iran, stuck up with 0 - 0 against Nigeria, on Saturday.
