RIO DE JANEIRO: Former World Champions Argentina started their campaign of the FIFA World Cup 2014 with a 2-1 win over debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina at Estádio Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, ARY News reports.
It didn’t take long for the ice to be broken between the two sides as Argentina went into a lead in the third minute due to an own goal by Sead Kolasinac of Bosnia.
However, the World Cup debutants were not hindered by conceding the first goal of the match as their attackers were trying to equalize the scoreline for their country. They were taking chances from the errors created by the Argentine side by creating plays rather than kicking the ball.
Argentina, on the other hand, kept the momentum slow in the match and was seeming if they were taking the match seriously. Asmir Begovic denied Javier Mascherano to double the lead for his side.
In the 41st minute, Bosnia had the chance to equalize the scoreline when Senad Lulic’s corner attempt was denied by Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
However, the substitutions by the Argentinians after the first half did not improve their performance as Bosnia was still looking dangerous as they were saving shots and defending with great effort.
The former champions doubled their lead in the 68th minute after Lionel Messi via free kick.
Messi’s goal fuelled a new life into his team as Bosnian side was starting to get tired. Argentina missed their chance to scored the third as Gonzalo Higuaín’s header went over the cross bar.
The Bosnians did manage to score in 85th minute as the shot by Vedad Ibisevic’s shot went between the legs of Romero and crept inside the goal.
