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| Messi lived up to expectations |
Bleacher Report
Argentina were made to work hard before claiming a 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup Group F opener.
An early goal did not spark a goal-fest, but Lionel Messi showed his class with a wonderful second-half effort that set Argentina on their way to three points. Vedad Ibisevic set up a grandstand finish when he poked a shot through the legs of Sergio Romero with six minutes remaining, but Argentina held on.
If Bosnia-Herzegovina had a game plan to frustrate Argentina, it went out of the window three minutes into the contest.
Sergio Aguero was hacked down on the left, and Mensur Mujdza was made to pay a heavy price. A wicked free-kick from Messi was flicked on by Marcos Rojo, and the ball hit Sead Kolasinac and dribbled over the line.
The goal was a major setback for a side facing one of the favourites for the competition, but they shook off the blow to match Argentina early on.
The Bosnians’ work rate was impressive. They swarmed round the likes of Messi, Aguero and Angel Di Maria when not in possession and drove forward at pace when in control of the ball.
Izet Hajrovic caused the first major scare for Argentina when he dashed beyond the back line, but Romero was swift to race off his line and make a brave save.
It was not exactly the free-flowing spectacle from Argentina that had been hoped for, with the early goal possibly acting as an inhibitor.
