Lionel Messi has a brilliant World Cup debut
The lingering doubt of whether Lionel Messi could finally deliver on the World Cup stage was finally answered. The FC Barcelona attacker was directly involved…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi strolls past Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac during the group F World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Bosnia at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
The lingering doubt of whether Lionel Messi could finally deliver on the World Cup stage was finally answered.
The FC Barcelona attacker was directly involved in both of Argentina’s goals in the 2-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday in the mythical Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
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Argentina took the lead in the 3rd minute of the match. Messi was in charged of taking a free-kick from the right side of the box and Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac put the ball into his own net.
The remainder of the first half showed very little for either nation.
Messi comes alive for Argentina
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) scrambles to get back to the ball against Bosnia defenders Emir Spahic (4) and Sead Kolasinac (5) during their group F World Cup soccer match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Argentina had a different look in the second half with a formation and personnel changes. The Gauchos looked more dangerous with the addition of Higuain and Fernando Gago.
In the 65th minute Lionel Messi doubled Argentina’s lead. The “Pulga” scored one of his signature goals. The small Argentinian slalomed from right to left and blasted a low shot shot past Begovic. A truly spectacular goal. A weight was lifted off of his shoulders.
That was Messi’s second-ever World Cup goal, his first since Germany 2006.
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Bosnia got on the scoreboard in the 85th minute when Vedad Ibisevic slipped the ball in between Sergio Romero’s legs.
Argentina will face Iran on June 21.
