Argentina barely beats debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina

Lionel Messi went on one of his trademark runs to score a brilliant individual goal as Argentina scrapped past debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Making their first ever World Cup appearance - at the historic Maracana stadium no less - the Bosnians went one goal down early in the match.

Scored at two minutes eight seconds, the own goal goes down as the fastest own goal in World Cup history, AFP reported.

Messi's free-kick caused havoc among the Bosnian defenders and the ball eventually came off defender Sead Kolasinac's legs and into his own goal for Argentina's opener.

Messi again weaved his magic in the 65th mniute.

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Collecting the ball in the final third of the field, he danced around the despairing Bosnian defenders as he unleashed a shot that went in off the bottom of post.

Bosnia, though, showed that they were not in the tournament just to make up the numbers.

Vedad Ibišević scored in the 87th min, sparking a frenzy on the Bosnia side to equalise in the closing moments of the match.

Unfortunately for the gallant Bosnians, dreams of a last minute equaliser were dashed as the referee blew the final whistle.

On Sunday (June 22), Argentina will face Iran, while Bosnia will take on Nigeria.

Source: Reuters, AFP