Thursday, 26 June 2014

MESSI MAGIC, FANTASTIC EAGLES

Lionel Messi scores this fantastic free-kick against Nigeria

A review of the final two games in World Cup Group F as Nigeria lose 3-2 to Argentina but still reach the last 16.

Lionel Messi netted twice as Argentina topped Group F with a 3-2 win over Nigeria in Porto Alegre.
Nigeria also join Argentina in the last 16 asBosnia-Herzegovina's 3-1 victory over Iran in Salvador meant that four points would be enough for them to finish second in the group.
It took Argentina just three minutes to take the lead after Angel Di Maria’s strike rebounded into the path of Messi and he slammed the loose ball into the roof of the net.
But Nigeria hit back within a minute as Ahmed Musa cut inside of Pablo Zabaleta before unleashing a wonderful curling effort beyond Sergio Romero from the left wing.
Messi looked hungry to make it four goals in three games in Brazil and he did so just before the break, finding the net with a stunning free-kick which left Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama helpless as he scrambled across his line.
It promised to be the Messi show but Nigeria had other ideas as they hit back just minutes after half-time when Musa was slotted through on goal and he kept his composure to fire beyond Romero for his second of the evening.
Messi then turned provider when his corner was flicked into the path of Marco Rojo to put Argentina back in front from inside the six-yard box, before the talismanic captain left the field to a standing ovation after an hour and the scoring was complete.
Iran's dreams of a place in the knockout stages were ended by goals from Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajevic as Bosnia's tournament ended with a 3-1 win.
Bosnia had already made history in reaching the World Cup for the first time in their country's short existence while Iran, who had won just one of 11 previous games at the tournament, were looking to set their own landmark by making it through to the knockout stage.
Argentina kept their side of the bargain by beating Nigeria but Iran never looked like securing the victory they needed to progress and Reza Ghoochannejhad's late consolation was immediately followed by Bosnia's third from Vrsajevic - a first for his country.
Argentina will now face the runners-up of Group E, with either Switzerland or Ecuador their most likely opponents, while Nigeria will almost certainly play France.

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