Teams played each other in one Group F and two Group E matches. World Cup favorites Argentina beat the tournament's debutante Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-1 in their Group F opener.
Lionel Messi scored a stunning second-half goal to push Argentina to a 2-1 victory over World Cup debutant Bosnia at the Maracana stadium on Sunday in the Group F opener for both teams. |
An early own goal, made at two minutes and eight seconds by defender Sead Kolasinac, gifted Argentina a 1-0 lead. It was the fastest own goal in World Cup history, beating the one scored by Paraguay’s Carlos Gamarra in 2006. Messi whipped in a free-kick which was flicked on by Marcos Rojo to the back post.
At the start of the second half, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella made changes first, sending in midfielder Fernando Gago and forward Gonzalo Higuain. In the 65th minute, Messi roared with his trademark goal. Except the goal and the freekick resulting in the own goal, Messi did not show his top form. The whole Argentine team played in low efficiency in the first half but rallied in the second.
In other matches, France beat Honduras 3-nil in a Group E match. French striker Karim Benzema was the hero of the day. Earlier, Switzerland dramatically came from behind and beat Ecuador 2-1 in their Group E opener, with a goal deep in stoppage-time by Haris Seferovic.
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