Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Match 11 : Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina

Messi helps Argentina to start their World Cup campaign with a win over the debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina

Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Argentina starts off the world cup with a hard earned victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Even though Argentina won the match their performance was not their usual standards. Thanks to an unfortunate own goal early in the game started their proceedings for Argentina. Messi's beautiful goal in the second half sealed their victory. Bosnia-Herzegovina came back with a goal in the 84th minute but they weren't able to score the needed equalizer in last 6 minutes. Messi's magic goal and an early own goal may have helped Argentina today but if they plan on winning the tournament their big players should step up.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's chance of winning the match went off in the first three minutes when Sead Kolasinac scored an own goal. Mujdza fouled Aguero in the left wing and it led to a free kick for Argentina. Free kick from Messi saw Rojo flick the ball which hit the defender Kolasinac and went into the net. The own goal was also the fastest ever in the World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina attacked the Argentinian defence and threatened them win their free kicks. Their major chances in the first half was created early by Pjanic and Hajrovic. Argentina was not able to move the ball freely as they hoped. There were couple of moments were the Bosnia-Herzegovina scared the Argentinian players. Argentina wasn't comfortable in taking clear shots at goal. Their efforts was blocked by Bosnia-Herzegovina's defence. Bosnia-Herzegovina almost scored the equalizer when Lulic went past his marker and headed the ball towards the goal, Romero got down and pushed the ball out to keep the Argentina in the lead at half time.

Sabella made two changes during the half time and bought Higuain and Gago to boost the Argentinian attack. But Bosnia-Herzegovina was the one to attack after half time forcing Romero to make couple of saves early in the second half. Hajrovic troubled Romero with a free kick in the 50th minute. Aguero tried his luck at the goal after a good assist by Messi. Argentina lost another chance to score when Messi hit an easy free kick over the bar. They weren't able to find the net until a beautiful goal by Messi in 65th minute. Messi got the ball at halfway line and started to dribble towards the goal and exchanged passes with Higuain ,went past the defenders and finished with a low shot in the bottom left hand corner.

With Messi's goal all looked over for Bosnia-Herzegovina but it was not. Ibisevic went through Argentinian defence and poked the ball through Romero's legs after a good assist by Lulic. Both the team had nervous moments in the remaining time but Argentina was able to hold onto the lead. The early own goal and Messi's beauty sees Argentina home this time, but they have to strengthen the game if they were to win the cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina played a good game with Argentina and with this form they can create an upset in the group. 


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