Argentina 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 player ratings: Lionel Messi? Javier Mascherano? Edin Dzeko? Who was the star man at the Maracana?
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Your support makes all the difference.Lionel Messi finally made his mark on the World Cup and lit up the Maracana with his first goal in the finals for eight years as Argentina were forced to battle for a 2-1 win over debutants Bosnia in their opening Group F match on Sunday.
Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina's best footballer since Diego Maradona graced the 1986 tournament, put his side 2-0 ahead on a night when the stadium was turned into little Buenos Aires by tens of thousands of his countrymen.
Although they took the lead in the third minute when Sead Kolasinac netted the fastest own goal in World Cup history, Argentina looked unconvincing until Messi struck with a dazzling run and sweet left-foot shot that went in off the post in the 65th minute after a one-two with substitute Gonzalo Higuain.
Even then they could not afford to relax as substitute Vedad Ibisevic scored in the 85th minute for Bosnia to set up a thrilling finale.
But who was the man of the match? Click through the gallery below for the player ratings
Argentina are next in action against Iran on Saturday.
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