Messi off the mark

RIO DE JANEIRO. — Lionel Messi scored a sparkling individual goal and created another as Argentina overcame a faltering performance to open their World Cup soccer campaign with a 2-1 win over Bosnia on Sunday night.
The Barcelona superstar produced a trademark moment of magic on a night that also saw France beat Honduras 3-0, with the help of the first goal decided by goal-line technology. Switzerland came back to beat Ecuador 2-1.

Hordes of Argentina fans helped transform Rio’s famous Maracana Stadium into a corner of Buenos Aires as the South American giants eased past their Group F rivals.
Messi, hoping to secure his status as one of football’s greats by shining at this World Cup, had a largely quiet game by his high standards.

But the diminutive striker provided the two decisive moments of the match for Argentina’s goals.
Messi’s teasing free-kick caused panic in the Bosnian defence after only two minutes and eight seconds, when the ball came off Sead Kolasinac’s legs and went into his own net, the fastest own goal in World Cup history.

On 65 minutes Messi electrified the 78 800-capacity stadium with a moment of magic, jinking towards the area and unleashing a low shot which flew past Asmir Begovic in the Bosnian goal. The only blemish for Argentina was a late goal from Bosnian substitute Vedad Ibisevic, who slid his shot below the advancing Sergio Romero.

Messi left the Maracana with a smile on his face on Sunday following his man-of-the match performance against Bosnia-Hercegovina.
“We have things we need to improve but it was a good first game at the World Cup,” the 26-year-old captain said after setting up Argentina’s first goal and then scoring the decisive second after a stunning burst from midfield. “Everyone was anxious to do well. The result was the most important,” he added, before admitting that a half-time tactical tweak by coach Alejandro Sabella proved crucial in helping him flourish after the restart.

Argentina switched from a system with three central defenders to their customary 4-3-3, with Gonzalo Higuain joining the attack and helping set up Messi’s goal. “I think it was a great second half. We had the ball, created chances. That is how we need to carry on, playing the way we did in the second half.

“The important thing is that we started well, but the system (in the second half) for us strikers obviously is better because we have more chances to hit them on the break and more options for the pass when we bring the ball out.

“It favours us strikers I think. We struggled a bit in the first half and had possession too far away from their goal. It was difficult, but we used the two systems and we won the game, which is the most important thing.”

The Barcelona superstar was also impressed with the atmosphere generated by the large Argentinian contingent in the Maracana crowd of close to 75 000.
“The stadium is impressive and it was great to see so many Argentinians, which I’m sure will be the same in Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre. It was a great atmosphere and it makes me proud,” he said.

Argentina take on Iran in Belo Horizonte next Saturday, June 21, before facing Nigeria in their final Group F game in Porto Alegre on June 25. Argentina coach Sabella meanwhile sought to play down suggestions that Messi was under pressure to deliver at the World Cup.

“Messi is the best player in the world whatever happens at the World Cup and one of the best players of all time whatever he does at the World Cup,” Sabella said.
Elsewhere on Sunday, France made World Cup history by defeating Honduras 3-0 with the help of the first goal awarded in international football using computer generated 3-D technology. — AFP.