Lionel Messi leaves defenders in his wake to score Argentina's second This was more than Messi at Maracana of course. That was the main them but
Bosnia-Herzegovina had ambitions of their own. Edin Dzeko wore a look on his face during the national anthems of a man meaning business. Yet it was his Manchester City team-mate Sergio Agüero who had the first touch, who played the ball off to Messi as if signalling the chain of command, the tactics. Give the ball to Messi. When Agüero was then fouled out wide, Messi took control, curling in the free-kick with his left foot, the ball clipping Marcos Rojo and carrying on across goal. It caught Sead Kolasinac, the Schalke defender and bounced in. Argentina are dangerous enough, particularly when the ball is with Messi, Agüero or Ángel di María, without them being gifted goals.
Messi was playing slightly off Aguero, even tracking back and fouling Zvjezdan Misimovic. The ball kept coming to Messi, guided to him by Maxi Rodríguez, then Di María. There was a one-two with Javier Mascherano and a drive through the middle until he ran into a thick blue line.
Yet this fine attacking side of Alejandro Sabella have a weakness at the back, a vulnerability almost exploited when Izet Hajrobic sprinted through but was denied by Sergio Romero. Javier Mascherano was breaking up Bosnian moves in midfield through fair means and often foul.
Much to the frustration of those who had come to praise Messi, Bosnia grew in confidence as the half wore on. The much-discussed flaws in Argentina's back line were again highlighted when Senad Lulic shot. Romero made light of occasional inactivity with Monaco by showing strong reflexes in pushing the ball away.
Messi revealed only flashes of his class in the first half, one mesmerising dribble delighting fans as he zigzagged into the area before Bosnia again slammed the door. Argentina had 56 per cent possession in the first period but managed only three shots on target to Bosnia's four. One was a fierce 20-yarder from Mascherano that Asmir Begovic beat away.
Messi and Agüero strode down the tunnel for the second half deep in conversation. The hopes of a nation weighs on their slim shoulders.
Their understanding is key. Yet they missed Gonzalo Higuaín in the opening period, giving more of a spearhead to their attack. The No 9 arrived at the break, taking up a position alongside Agüero with Messi in the hole. Fernando Gago also came on, playing in midfield alongside Mascherano, bringing more creativity.
Bosnia continued to worry Argentina, especially when the ball was with Hajrobic, who was twice denied by Romero. Sabella's side sought to secure a reassuring second goal. Agüero wasted a fine opportunity, smashing s shot high and wide. Then Messi swept royally through the middle, causing brief palpitations but again Bosnia defended redoubtedly.
There was a real inventiveness at Bosnian corners, the ball often angled away from the area for late-arriving players to try to catch Argentina out.
Messi's pass to Di María was then intercepted. Then Messi embarked on one of those scamper surges again, feeding the ball right to Agüero, whose low shot flew straight at Begovic. When Agüero was clattered by Emir Spahic, Messi curled the free-kick over. He just could not impose himself, often unable to escape Bosnian marking. But class will out. After 65 minutes, Messi began gliding in from the right, his touch and balance carrying him deep into Bosnian territory.
He played a wall pass with Higuaín and carried on, across the box, looking for the opening before shooting from the edge of the area. The ball took a tiny deflection, taking it onto the post, across goal and in. Messi peeled away, celebrating, chased by his jubilant team-mates as the Argentina fans chanted 'Olé, olé, olé, olé, Messi, Messi'.
A reminder of Argentina's Achilles' heel, their defence, was highlighted with Bosnia scoring through Vedad Ibesivic late on but Argentina held on. Messi's mission is under way.
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