Rio de Janeiro: An own goal welcomed the return of the World Cup to the iconic Maracana after 64 years. Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Sead Kolasinac opened the account for Argentina by putting the ball in at the wrong end even as the referee’s starting whistle was still wafting in the air. Lionel Messi doubled the lead with a scintillating strike before Bosnian substitute Vedad Ibisevic added spice to the climax with a fine goal six minutes from time.
Argentina, fancied to win the title here, ultimately sealed a 2-1 win in Group F on Sunday that could be called comfortable. But Alejandro Sabella’s team were some distance away from champion stuff. After a nightmarish start to their first World Cup as an independent nation, Bosnia somehow managed to stay in the hunt before coming under the spell of Messi magic.
If not for the typically classy goal from the Argentina captain, few would care to remember the match. The first half was truly dire. Both teams contributed immensely for the bland show. Sabella’s 5-3-2 system got his team nowhere with Messi roaming around like a stranger searching his way in the Amazon forest. He did nothing of note after firing the free kick that had resulted in the own goal.
Argentina’s midfield was totally off-colour with Angel Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez offering little support to the hardworking JavierMascherano. Messi and his fellow forward Sergio Aguero hardly received cutting edge supply. At the other end, Senad Lulic tested Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero with a brilliant header. It was the only piece of adventurism from the Balkan country in the first 45 minutes.
Sabella realised his folly during the break and brought on Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago in place of Maxi and central defender Hugo Campagnaro. The coach also changed his formation to 4-3-3 and his team were transformed. There was more purpose in Argentina’s attack with Messi regularly getting involved in moves. Unlike the first half, he didn’t have to track back to initiate moves.
Higuain’s ability to hold up play helped Messi start his trademark mazy runs from threatening distances. Messi made the already glittering Maracana more luminous with a stellar goal. After playing a one-two with Higuain on the right edge of the box, he cut across like a man possessed to unleash a left-footer that settled in the net off a post.
The relief on the face of Messi was obvious as he had endured a goalless campaign in South Africa four years ago. Argentina fans, already in full throttle, lifted the roof of the famous stadium by shouting their admiration for the little fella. That’s what outstanding players can do. All they need is a fraction of second to turn a match around. Who will now remember Messi’s anonymous first half?
Bosnia’s best player Edin Dzeko had to plough a lonely furrow as his team-mates didn’t use the width of the pitch to bring him into play. Without crosses, Dzeko’s aerial prowess was largely unused. Substitutions also worked for Bosnia as Ibisevic came off the bench to steer in Lulic’s wonderful pass through the legs of Romero to ensure frenetic final moments for Argentina.
