A moment of Lionel Messi magic was the difference as Argentina beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2-1, in Rio de Janeiro in the teams' World Cup opener on Sunday.
Argentina took a 1-0 lead in the third minute, but it came on an own goal, and Messi and his attackmate Sergio Aguero looked less than fluent together in the first half.
Messi atoned in the second half with only his second World Cup goal -- and first since 2006. The shot was so well-placed, or so lucky, that it caromed off the post and into the net.
The goal turned out to be crucial, because Argentina's sometimes shaky goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, bungled a tame shot by Vedad Ibisevic that allowed Bosnia to close to 2-1 with six minutes left.
Argentina is unlikely to be troubled by Nigeria and Iran in the days ahead, so its true ability at this Cup may not be shown until the knockout stage.
Find us on Facebook
