Messi’s Solo Effort Seals Argentina Win

Lionel Messi scored a superb goal as Argentina fought hard for a reassuring start to their World Cup campaign with a win over debutantes Bosnia-Hercegovina.

La Albiceleste went ahead when Messi’s free-kick was put into his own net by defender Sead Kolasinac.

The Barcelona star then played a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, jinked past two defenders to double coach Alejandro Sabella’s men’s lead.

Lionel Messi Celebrates After Scoring a Superb Goal to Lift His World Cup Tally to Two.
Lionel Messi Celebrates After Scoring a Superb Goal to Lift His World Cup Tally to Two.

The goal lifted Argentina and, despite Vedad Ibisevic slotting in late on for Bosnia-Hercegovina, they held on.
Messi's Goal Was the Defining Moment of Argentina's 2-1 Win Over Bosnia at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.
Messi’s Goal Was the Defining Moment of Argentina’s 2-1 Win Over Bosnia at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.

Elsewhere;

Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador

It was a comeback and last-gap win for Switzerland over Ecuador. The Europeans defeated Ecuador 2-1 in stoppage time after having trailed at the break.

France 3-0 Honduras

In the other Group E encounter, France made the perfect start to their Brazil 2014 campaign by triumphing over a physical and robust Honduras side, courtesy of a clinical performance from Karim Benzema.

Goal-line technology was used for the first time in a Fifa World Cup match, when
Benzema’s 48th-minute shot- for his 2nd goal of the encounter- came back off the post and rolled
across the goal-line before hitting goalkeeper Noel Valladares, who tried clawing the ball back.