:00:58. > :01:06.Good evening and welcome back to Rio. Definitely worth staying up for
:01:07. > :02:27.tonight, Argentina all up and playing in the Maracana.
:02:28. > :02:40.Great that the airy Henri's taxi has got him there on time. In the 1950
:02:41. > :02:47.World Cup final almost 200,000 people work crammed in to the
:02:48. > :02:56.Maracana to see us ill leave to Uruguay. Now the capacity is 70,000.
:02:57. > :03:09.It felt more like 1 Sir is today, as thousands of Argentinians travelled
:03:10. > :03:21.here for the game against Bosnia. So many faces from the Premier League.
:03:22. > :03:26.There is another 1. Dzeko, a big player for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here
:03:27. > :03:33.is Alan Shearer and the man who had the temerity to head but Alan's
:03:34. > :03:41.Bute, Neil Lennon. How could you? The boot never recovered. Stay
:03:42. > :03:46.friends. Argentina have come to me DJ hero for this game. Tell us a bit
:03:47. > :03:59.about the rivalry between the 2 countries. Yes, when you play
:04:00. > :04:04.against Argentina, you feel if you don't win, don't go back to Brazil.
:04:05. > :04:10.White two or 3 days. So Argentina are playing here tonight, we'll all
:04:11. > :04:19.of Brazil be hoping they lose? We saw 32,000 came to Brazil by car,
:04:20. > :04:26.flying or even by bicycle. Really? Yes. We saw that this afternoon. We
:04:27. > :04:36.welcome them but on the field we always... The Brazilians will
:04:37. > :04:42.support Bosnia. For the 1st time in many years, people are asking a few
:04:43. > :04:47.questions about Messi's form. He has had injury problems. It is a big
:04:48. > :04:53.tournament for him. A massive tournament. If he wants the iconic
:04:54. > :04:58.status that Maradona has, he has to be successful in this World Cup. He
:04:59. > :05:04.has to have a World Cup next to his name. He only has 1 goal in the
:05:05. > :05:11.World Cup. But I think what has helped him is he had not scored in
:05:12. > :05:15.16 matches under the previous management. The new management comes
:05:16. > :05:21.in, he gives him the captaincy and straightaway, he responds with 10
:05:22. > :05:25.goals in the next 12 games. So it just goes to show even the best
:05:26. > :05:30.players need a hope, need to be loved, and need to feel part of it.
:05:31. > :05:37.But it is really a massive tournament for him and his team.
:05:38. > :05:40.Unbelievably prolific. Neil, you have managed the team against him on
:05:41. > :05:46.1 or 2 occasions. What was the key to try to stop in? Tell your
:05:47. > :05:50.defenders not to get too emotional. Stay on your feet as best as you
:05:51. > :05:55.can. He has unbelievable ability to change pace very, very quickly. He
:05:56. > :05:59.looks on the periphery of the game, as if he's not really interested,
:06:00. > :06:05.and then the ball comes to his feet and a light goes on. He's absolutely
:06:06. > :06:10.amazing. I saw him on the beach earlier, I think it was with
:06:11. > :06:17.Maradona. Amazing what goes on on the Copacabana. A lot of fans,
:06:18. > :06:21.thousands of Argentinians have been walking alongside there, getting
:06:22. > :06:29.those pictures taken with those statues. Messi, do people in Brazil
:06:30. > :06:40.think he is as good as the likes of Pele? I think he is but he needs to
:06:41. > :06:46.have this standard, so he needs to do well for Argentina. Like Messi,
:06:47. > :06:53.Argentina, probably in theory he is 1 of the best in the tournament but
:06:54. > :07:00.everyone will not see it in the practice. I think he's the best I
:07:01. > :07:04.have seen in my time. What he can do with the football, he runs, he can
:07:05. > :07:15.go either way. Not bad for small guy. And his -- he's a defender's
:07:16. > :07:27.nightmare. And I think Argentina will go 3 at the back.
:07:28. > :07:37.We know that Mascherano and the two upfront, try to stop them if you
:07:38. > :07:45.can! It is not a bad force for them to have if you have that option. Di
:07:46. > :07:48.Maria, who I saw at the Champions League final, I was there, he was
:07:49. > :07:54.without a doubt the Man of the Match. He gives them great options.
:07:55. > :07:58.He can come inside and go at people. He can give them that bit of wit as
:07:59. > :08:05.well and it goes without saying, he's an absolute workhorse in there.
:08:06. > :08:15.It will be interesting to see Argentina play tonight. Yes,
:08:16. > :08:19.fascinating. Di Maria has changed a bit as well as the season has gone
:08:20. > :08:26.on. He has played from a deeper position in the field. Even in the
:08:27. > :08:33.final with Real Madrid when he was chasing the goal... The way they
:08:34. > :08:43.play the system, when they have gone into tougher games, Columbia, they
:08:44. > :08:48.won in Chile, that is a sign of respect, and then lining up this way
:08:49. > :08:56.today tells you about the team they play against. Bosnia-Herzegovina is
:08:57. > :09:01.the only nation making their debut at this World Cup. They have come a
:09:02. > :09:05.long way since they formed after the break-up of Yugoslavia. This is what
:09:06. > :09:18.the game means to the people back home.
:09:19. > :09:22.My family were born in Bosnia. My dad was a professional footballer. I
:09:23. > :09:26.was at every training session and when I could I would clean his beats
:09:27. > :09:34.and pick sure they were punished for his games. We had a good time here.
:09:35. > :09:38.-- I would clean his boots and make sure they were polished for the
:09:39. > :09:46.games. And then everything was torn apart. The country has been through
:09:47. > :09:53.so much turmoil. I do not think there is a story out there that can
:09:54. > :09:59.compare. What the war did to the country, and had decimated it was
:10:00. > :10:04.this incredible. We basically packed up all things and put them in the
:10:05. > :10:08.car and off we went. We had some family in Germany and we spent the
:10:09. > :10:13.next 6 years our lives there. Then we made the decision to go to
:10:14. > :10:17.Canada. I received Canadian citizenship. I was called up for the
:10:18. > :10:22.national team and I played for them. The 1st time I ever came back to
:10:23. > :10:25.Bosnia after the war was for my grandfather's funeral. That was the
:10:26. > :10:31.1st time I reconnected with all my family, a lot of cousins. Here is my
:10:32. > :10:35.grandma, from the same place as me. But after the war she and my grandad
:10:36. > :10:54.came back here to live. I saw what it would mean to have my
:10:55. > :10:58.family watch me in games, from Bosnia. Everyone is proud of the
:10:59. > :11:06.fact I decided to represent my country. I finally received the call
:11:07. > :11:13.and the rest is history. The national team is unique in the
:11:14. > :11:23.world. From our starting level, only 1 player grew up in Bosnia, Dzeko. A
:11:24. > :11:29.few of our jerseys on sale there. If you want to buy some jerseys... When
:11:30. > :11:33.they decide to play for Bosnia, their homeland, every player who
:11:34. > :11:41.decides that is a hero. There were other cases, players born in Bosnia
:11:42. > :11:46.but playing for other countries. They are here treated as traitors.
:11:47. > :11:52.Yes. That is the exact word, traitors. Others did not forget
:11:53. > :11:57.where they came from, that they are Bosnians and they should play for
:11:58. > :12:08.Bosnia. This is our 1st ever World Cup, and the mood, 1 word, euphoric.
:12:09. > :12:14.This is the best thing that ever happened to this country. The
:12:15. > :12:21.country has been excited since the day we qualified. Fantastic. Bosnia
:12:22. > :12:27.did not have so much luck in the past and the Bosnian people suffered
:12:28. > :12:29.a lot. The national team have succeeded in something which
:12:30. > :12:41.politicians never got near, to unify the country, unify the people.
:12:42. > :12:51.We know we are in for difficult games. It is a dream of our is to
:12:52. > :12:59.play such a big game in the Maracana. You get goose bumps. You
:13:00. > :13:04.dream of it as a kid, you work your whole career for it.
:13:05. > :13:11.Interesting that 1 or 2 players, like Ibrahim the Fitch, are regarded
:13:12. > :13:18.as traitors because they choose not to play for Bosnia. It will be
:13:19. > :13:24.interesting to see the emotion on the players' faces. With the
:13:25. > :13:29.national anthem. They have suffered enough and it is amazing what
:13:30. > :13:33.football can do for people. It is amazing for them to be here, so
:13:34. > :13:38.anything else will be a bonus. I know it is a hell of a tough 1st
:13:39. > :13:43.game, but anything but they do in this tournament is a huge bonus for
:13:44. > :14:01.them. That was a tough piece to watch, that, and there really were
:14:02. > :14:07.strong words about Abraham. They need to play, not only in defence,
:14:08. > :14:15.because 1 way or another, Messi, Di Maria, they will find a way to the
:14:16. > :14:20.goal. You must have to attack to try. Everyone expects Argentina to
:14:21. > :14:25.win. Nothing to fear. Let's see how Bosnia-Herzegovina line-up.
:14:26. > :14:39.They have also changed formation, with Dzeko a lone striker. But
:14:40. > :14:45.allows them to field 5 midfielders, including 1 of their key players,
:14:46. > :14:49.Pjanic. He was 1 of the guys they were talking about. He had to flee
:14:50. > :15:01.his family to Luxembourg. He is having a great season in
:15:02. > :15:08.Italy. Dzeko, the only 1 who grew up in Bosnia. His strengths? He's big,
:15:09. > :15:13.strong, can score goals. He had a fantastic season City last year. If
:15:14. > :15:20.they want to change to plan B, he can play that way, and he's going to
:15:21. > :15:24.have to put the likes of Pjanic to get up and support them. We know
:15:25. > :15:28.he's a real strength, so you watch those balls. Once you get half an
:15:29. > :15:39.opportunity, if they get into the final 3rd, expect them to put it in
:15:40. > :15:48.the box. He will cause problems. I think they will go man to man on
:15:49. > :15:53.Messi. The coach was saying they have to look after Messi. He is a
:15:54. > :15:59.talismanic comment Dzeko. He is in the form of his life. City -- Bosnia
:16:00. > :16:04.scored 30 goals in qualifying and he got a third of them. What these guys
:16:05. > :16:09.have been through, they will show character. They will not fear these
:16:10. > :16:13.guys at all. You put a challenge in front of them and they will face it.
:16:14. > :16:19.I think they are a really dangerous team. Dzeko lines up against Aguero.
:16:20. > :16:32.Between them, they scored 54 Goldsboro man -- for Manchester City
:16:33. > :16:46.last season. -- 54 goals for Manchester City.
:16:47. > :16:56.Whatever the game, the goals just keep on coming. They stride towards
:16:57. > :17:06.the Premier League crown! One man who has played against both
:17:07. > :17:14.is Rio Ferdinand. He is in the Maracana Stadium. Why don't we start
:17:15. > :17:21.with Dzeko? What are the problems marking him? He is a big size. The
:17:22. > :17:25.thing that sticks out for me is more about his movement. When the ball
:17:26. > :17:31.goes wide, he ghosts about in the box. He can go 80 minutes without
:17:32. > :17:43.touching a ball and bang. He is a fantastic finisher. At this level
:17:44. > :17:47.concentration is massive. You have to be at your sharpest when you are
:17:48. > :17:53.not in the game. You have to be ready to make sure that you can take
:17:54. > :17:57.the ball. What about Aguero? He has been my hardest opponent in the last
:17:58. > :18:02.couple of years. He is quick, he is strong, he is direct and he doesn't
:18:03. > :18:08.like going either way. He can go left or right. That is always a big
:18:09. > :18:12.danger. You can shut him down one side and you think he is weaker than
:18:13. > :18:19.that side. He is difficult to control. As well as marking those
:18:20. > :18:25.two, you have also marked Messi. That is a different level as well?
:18:26. > :18:31.He is one footed but he can go either way. The thing that stands
:18:32. > :18:38.out for me about him is he is cute upstairs. Sometimes he can hurt you
:18:39. > :18:44.without the ball. Do you want to, and mark me? He knows that runners
:18:45. > :18:50.will go in behind him. Do I stay away and let him dictate to me?
:18:51. > :18:55.These are the questions he asks you. At this level these are daisies
:18:56. > :19:00.and you have to make quickly. If you don't make them quickly enough, he
:19:01. > :19:07.punishes you. Believes you mentally and physically tired? Definitely! I
:19:08. > :19:13.have been there! You would give your eye teeth to be out here, wouldn't
:19:14. > :19:17.you? Yes, every time I hear the cheering, the hairs on the back of
:19:18. > :19:20.my neck stand up. I would rather be out there chasing one of those guys
:19:21. > :19:29.out there and trying to win a game. But here we are. Here we are and we
:19:30. > :19:34.are very lucky and we cannot wait. Back in 1986 Maradona led his team
:19:35. > :20:07.to World Cup glory. Is this the time for a Lionel Messi to do the same?
:20:08. > :20:14.Beautiful scenes in Rio de Janeiro the night. The Christ the Redeemer
:20:15. > :20:19.statue hovers over the Maracana Stadium. Wonderful pictures.
:20:20. > :20:26.Wonderful occasion. Argentina in the Maracana this evening. It is amazing
:20:27. > :20:31.how we focus on Messi, but it is inevitable. This is the big time for
:20:32. > :20:34.him. He could prove himself. People talk about him being the greatest
:20:35. > :20:38.player of all time but he really does need to do something very
:20:39. > :20:46.special in a World Cup to commence most people? I think so. That is the
:20:47. > :20:53.best scenario for him. I think Argentina, the way that they line
:20:54. > :21:00.up, it gives Messi more freedom to play. Up front with Aguero.
:21:01. > :21:04.Everybody knows that. Everybody gives him the opportunity to do
:21:05. > :21:09.that. What are the problem is when you do decide to go man on a player
:21:10. > :21:16.like Messi? It can throw things in other areas. I don't think it is
:21:17. > :21:20.such a great idea. You talk about maybe the nearest man going to press
:21:21. > :21:24.him. Stay on your feet as long as you can and cajole him away from the
:21:25. > :21:35.goal. That would be my idea. It was great listening to Rio. I don't
:21:36. > :21:40.think it is an issue for Messi. It is a challenge if someone wants to
:21:41. > :21:44.go and marking. Not that I'm ever putting myself in these guys shoes,
:21:45. > :21:49.but if somebody was man marking me I would love it. It is me against you.
:21:50. > :21:54.Him against everyone, he will be better. Great players find spaces.
:21:55. > :22:00.If you have got man-to-man marking, you get past your man, people don't
:22:01. > :22:06.know what to do. Exactly. I think you are wasting a player. He is good
:22:07. > :22:16.enough anyway. He should have an impact. Two sides in the tunnel. It
:22:17. > :22:20.is important he has a good World Cup. You want the big players to
:22:21. > :22:27.have a good World Cup. All the big hitters have started really well.
:22:28. > :22:40.They have got goals. Argentina to win? Yes, I think Argentina at the
:22:41. > :22:43.best team in the tournament. Alan? Yes, I think Argentina may be too
:22:44. > :22:49.strong. They will not find it easy but I think there it may be too
:22:50. > :22:54.strong going forward. I fancy Argentina but I think both teams
:22:55. > :22:57.will score. The two teams are walking out onto the field of play.
:22:58. > :23:06.Another of the big boys enters the fray. It is Argentina and
:23:07. > :23:12.Bosnia-Herzegovina. The commentator is Steve Wilson.
:23:13. > :23:19.Messi at the Maracana are. Let's hope this does what it says on the
:23:20. > :23:26.team. -- ten. The last time this stadium hosted a World Cup final,
:23:27. > :23:30.200,000 people watched. It has never before hosted Lionel Messi. Playing
:23:31. > :23:35.here for the first time tonight in his career. Eight years ago tomorrow
:23:36. > :23:41.he scored his first and only World Cup finals goal. It is extraordinary
:23:42. > :23:57.that the spiritual home of Brazilian football is full of Argentines.
:23:58. > :25:03.Arguably the one thing that separates Messi from the legacy of
:25:04. > :25:05.Maradona is a great World Cup. What a moment for the people of Bosnia
:25:06. > :26:17.and Herzegovina. 3000 of their supporters are here.
:26:18. > :26:24.Safet Susic, the coach, applauds. They lost in play-offs to Portugal
:26:25. > :26:28.for the last World Cup and European Championships. They are finally here
:26:29. > :26:38.on the big stage. And no bigger states than this. What an
:26:39. > :26:41.atmosphere. It is fantastic. Only the World Cup can bring about such a
:26:42. > :26:47.game like this, where Argentina, many people's favourites, play a
:26:48. > :26:57.debit and international team in the World Cup in Bosnia. -- debutante.
:26:58. > :27:02.Argentina may have Messi, Aguero and Di Maria, but they have kept five
:27:03. > :27:13.consecutive clean sheets, too. Maxi Rodriguez starts. Higuain is out.
:27:14. > :27:17.Tebbit did not even make the squad. -- ten rays did not even make the
:27:18. > :27:23.squad of Alex Sabella, the former Leeds United player. The referee is
:27:24. > :27:28.a Central American. He is a teacher from El Salvador. One of the
:27:29. > :27:35.captains requires no introduction. The other is Emir Spahic. He plays
:27:36. > :27:50.for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. So, a great story. Only
:27:51. > :27:58.affiliated to FIFA in 1996. The only debutants at this World Cup. Most of
:27:59. > :28:02.their squad born or raised abroad. More than a million Bosnians fled
:28:03. > :28:10.their country during the Balkan war. Pjanic was one of the players of the
:28:11. > :28:20.season in Italy. Begovic in goal. He may be one of the best keepers of
:28:21. > :28:29.the tournament. They have included an extra defensive midfielder. That
:28:30. > :28:38.is Muhamed Besic. It is Argentina, coached by Alex Sabella, in the home
:28:39. > :28:44.kit. The blue and white striped shirts. Bosnia coached by Safet
:28:45. > :28:54.Susic, who played for Paris Saint-Germain. They are all in blue.
:28:55. > :28:59.It is Argentina will get this underway from left to right. We have
:29:00. > :29:05.not had a draw yet in the World Cup. We have only had one goalless have.
:29:06. > :29:08.not had a draw yet in the World Cup. We have only had one -- half. In
:29:09. > :29:13.five matches, teams have come from behind to win. So far it has been
:29:14. > :29:23.top drawer. And here we go in Group F. Argentina from left to right
:29:24. > :29:34.against Bosnia-Herzgovina. Maxi Rodriguez, formerly of Atletico
:29:35. > :29:40.Madrid and Liverpool. The booing from the Argentines comes from the
:29:41. > :29:47.Brazilian contingent, here to support Bosnia. The Argentinian
:29:48. > :29:49.full-backs have really pushed on. It is more of a three rather than A5,
:29:50. > :30:55.defensively. -- a five. You can hear the screen pass the
:30:56. > :31:19.contact was made. -- the scream as the contact was made.
:31:20. > :31:29.It is an old goal! And Argentina are in friend in -- in front inside the
:31:30. > :31:37.first few moments of the game. And own goal.
:31:38. > :31:57.A good ball, no doubt about that. I thought for a minute there was a
:31:58. > :31:58.flick from one of the Argentina players, that takes it on the
:31:59. > :32:27.defender. The flick was from Rojo. Argentina
:32:28. > :32:29.are in front already. If they did have any nerves, Martin, they should
:32:30. > :32:56.be settled now, Argentina. The referee says that Messi filed
:32:57. > :33:55.his man. -- committed a foul. Kolasinac chose to play for
:33:56. > :33:56.Bosnia-Herzegovina once they qualified for this World Cup. He has
:33:57. > :34:06.played for Germany. How well did Aguero do to get on
:34:07. > :34:18.that ball? It was 50-50. He seemed to know where it was going
:34:19. > :34:26.to land and got himself in front of the defender.
:34:27. > :35:34.A chance for them to get some bodies up onto the edge of the Argentine
:35:35. > :35:37.penalty area. They scored a lot of goals in qualifying, Bosnia, 13 in
:35:38. > :36:14.ten qualifying games. Romero with the punch. Argentina
:36:15. > :37:00.switched off momentarily at the back. They needed Romero.
:37:01. > :37:13.It came off right regrowth. -- Rodriguez.
:37:14. > :38:04.Pjanic has just signed a new contract with Roma.
:38:05. > :38:33.It is going to be one of Bosnia's problems, getting enough support up
:38:34. > :38:37.early to Dzeko. Argentina are saying it came off the head of Spahic, and
:38:38. > :38:52.the referee agrees. Goal kick. Nigeria could be the key game when
:38:53. > :39:44.we are looking to see who finishes second in the group.
:39:45. > :39:54.No free kick but it is a throw. It was a foul.
:39:55. > :40:10.It is a bit like if you can imagine Hamden Park being three quarters
:40:11. > :41:08.full of England fans. A goal kick. Lulic did well to
:41:09. > :42:03.recover. He was second favourite at one stage. A great season he had.
:42:04. > :42:24.Great control. Romero comes out and makes the save.
:42:25. > :42:42.Argentina rattled. Mascherano the aggressor.
:42:43. > :42:51.Fantastic control from Hajrovic and Romero responding. A very awkward
:42:52. > :43:13.height from Hajrovic. He did well. What a good thing that spray paint
:43:14. > :44:42.is. Messi came on and scored in his
:44:43. > :44:47.first ever World Cup finals game in 2006 against Serbia Montenegro. He
:44:48. > :44:51.has played seven World Cup finals matches since then and has not
:44:52. > :44:58.scored a goal, which seems beyond the realm of possibility. When Alex
:44:59. > :45:07.Sabella came in, Messi starred playing behind the front two. --
:45:08. > :45:15.started. Messi dispossessed again. Pjanic...
:45:16. > :45:36.Edin Dzeko was waiting. Handball. Hajrovic. Some of the Argentinian
:45:37. > :45:53.players asking for a yellow card. It is funny, Argentina are a leading
:45:54. > :45:56.but they have not played. A real stroke of misfortune for Bosnia
:45:57. > :46:02.about that goal. I don't think there is a great deal he could have done
:46:03. > :46:16.about it. The flick of the header was the crucial thing.
:46:17. > :46:47.The block and deflection favoured Spahic. His clearance has not done
:46:48. > :47:03.the job. Messi... He could not find Di Maria. Lulic with the foul. Not
:47:04. > :47:08.his first of the game. Bosnia have been good defensively. They are very
:47:09. > :47:14.quick and not just to get one out, but two defenders out straight onto
:47:15. > :48:12.the man on the ball. But in that case, Di Maria was dispossessed.
:48:13. > :48:29.It is a great atmosphere, isn't it? Really exciting to be here. There is
:48:30. > :48:33.a buzz of expectation in the air. So many people believe Argentina will
:48:34. > :48:40.be back here at the Maracana at the end of this tournament. A good foray
:48:41. > :48:56.forward from right back. A man down for Bosnia just outside
:48:57. > :49:07.of the Argentinian penalty area. Alas a knack with the challenge on
:49:08. > :49:17.Zabaleta. -- colour Assen natch. When they tackle, it is just meant.
:49:18. > :49:23.German born. He is only 20. No stranger to a weight machine, I
:49:24. > :49:28.would suspect. Is he the same guy who took up boxing? He may have
:49:29. > :49:51.done. Lulic could not keep the ball in
:49:52. > :50:00.play. Argentina have a throw. Dare I say it, Messi looks a bit sluggish.
:50:01. > :50:04.So desperate to show what he is capable of on the big states. He
:50:05. > :50:15.really did not show it in South Africa. -- big stage. No. But
:50:16. > :50:23.Maradona was not the sanest of managers, was he? I think he is here
:50:24. > :50:38.tonight! Good job I did not say anything about him! I remember
:50:39. > :50:42.seeing Diego Maradona in 2006 when he was working for Argentine
:50:43. > :50:57.television. Everywhere he went he was surrounded by about 30 minders.
:50:58. > :51:05.The first three minutes weren't so good but the next 18 have been OK
:51:06. > :51:08.for Bosnia. Defensively and in midfield they are very comparable.
:51:09. > :51:28.It is just a case of whether they can get enough bodies forward.
:51:29. > :51:48.Pjanic, the number eight, is the key. He sees a pass. You just take
:51:49. > :52:01.your eye off the ball momentarily and you are not in control.
:52:02. > :52:08.Argentina playing in their 15th World Cup finals. They did not
:52:09. > :52:19.compete when Brazil last hosted it in 1950.
:52:20. > :52:28.If the first Bosnian defender does not get you, the second one is in
:52:29. > :52:39.really quickly. That was given away rather carelessly by Spahic. Back in
:52:40. > :52:45.1950, both Argentina and Brazil had bid to host the World Cup of that
:52:46. > :52:49.year. Brazil got it and Argentina didn't. So Argentina picked up their
:52:50. > :53:05.ball and said they would not play. They did not come.
:53:06. > :53:15.With all the build-up, it's actually a little bit dull. Safford Sioux
:53:16. > :53:17.City is a bit of a legend in Bosnian football. One of their finest. --
:53:18. > :53:36.Safet Susic. Di Maria may get a yellow card. He
:53:37. > :54:01.is. Di Maria was protesting innocence on
:54:02. > :54:04.the part of his team-mate. Free kick. Bosnia-Herzgovina. Marcos Rojo
:54:05. > :54:29.booked. Dzeko is joined up there by Lukic --
:54:30. > :54:40.Lulic and Spahic. You always get this before the first free kick. Not
:54:41. > :54:48.bad. That could have gone anywhere. Argentina were fortunate to get that
:54:49. > :55:36.way. Fernandez only have macro way. -- half.
:55:37. > :55:43.There is an argument that Bosnia are playing better football than
:55:44. > :55:54.Argentina at the moment. The two teams qualified for these final --
:55:55. > :55:57.finals... Wales will be having a look at Bosnia because they are in
:55:58. > :56:35.qualifying for euro 2016 with Bosnia. The Welsh.
:56:36. > :56:45.They are not out of this, Mark, are they? The Argentinian manager is
:56:46. > :56:57.going nuts on the line in front of us. Obviously Bosnia are not out of
:56:58. > :57:05.it but just the way the game is, they are very much in it. Besic, the
:57:06. > :57:14.number seven for Bosnia, is doing a great job on Lionel Messi. They
:57:15. > :57:31.played in a friendly last year in St Louis. It was 2-0 to Manchester --
:57:32. > :57:34.to Argentina but Messi did not play. I was talking to Begovic about it
:57:35. > :57:37.before they came out here and he said it was only really late in the
:57:38. > :57:44.game when they started making a lot of substitutions, and obviously
:57:45. > :57:46.Argentina had the strongest squad, but there was really much of a
:57:47. > :57:50.difference between the sides. In fact, for an hour, there was not too
:57:51. > :58:14.much to choose between them. Lulic was offside. I think he knew
:58:15. > :58:33.it. It was a good ball in again. A good decision.
:58:34. > :58:40.I just feel, Steve, that Argentina are too slow at moving the ball.
:58:41. > :58:44.They are allowing Bosnia to get back in position, stay on their feet. It
:58:45. > :59:00.is all very easy. Bosnia's problem is that Argentina
:59:01. > :59:02.are in front. Yes, but there is still plenty of time in the game to
:59:03. > :59:27.deal with that. Maxi Rodriguez tried his luck. Yes,
:59:28. > :59:38.I think he just had a little dink at the last minute. I will never forget
:59:39. > :59:46.his goal against the Mexicans in the quarterfinals in 2006. The volley.
:59:47. > :59:51.Didn't he score one with 30 odd passes as well? Yes, that was
:59:52. > :59:56.against Serbia. They beat Mexico in extra time in Leipzig. You and me
:59:57. > :00:41.were there, Mark. I remember but you don't seem to! It was a great goal!
:00:42. > :00:48.from Begovic. Mascherano with the shot for Argentina. He scored
:00:49. > :00:50.against Trinidad Tobago earlier this month, his first international goal
:00:51. > :02:04.seven years. Lulic has his hands on his head,
:02:05. > :02:28.thinking he might have had a pass from Dzeko.
:02:29. > :02:46.Just tried to keep an eye on the orange boots at the top of your
:02:47. > :02:58.picture. They belong to Rojo. They just can't get him in, can they?
:02:59. > :04:24.Lulic got in front of his man, could not control it, but he did get in
:04:25. > :04:26.front of Campagnaro. Dzeko is really the only one he is attempting to get
:04:27. > :04:34.in behind Argentina. They have had a couple of good
:04:35. > :04:59.moments, Bosnia. A clash of heads here. I think there
:05:00. > :05:14.has only been one save, has there not? Yes, Romero made it. Begovic. I
:05:15. > :05:22.thought Romero made it. Oh, yes, Mascherano's shot, that is right.
:05:23. > :05:38.Ouch. Right in the cheekbone. Bicakcic and Aguero. He is OK and
:05:39. > :05:47.Aguero is on his feet as well. It was right into his cheekbone. He is
:05:48. > :05:56.tough. Yes, next World Cup football on the BBC is tomorrow 7:30pm,
:05:57. > :06:06.Nigeria in this group, Group F. Against Iran. And then Ghana-USA.
:06:07. > :08:04.It is mad, that rule. A clash of heads and they have got to go off.
:08:05. > :08:33.Bosnia -for-4-2 in all the qualifiers. The first time they
:08:34. > :08:41.tried this four - 3-1 was a friendly against Egypt, when they did not
:08:42. > :08:42.play well at all. The coach, Susic, was heavily criticised for the
:08:43. > :09:23.change but he stuck with it. Taken by Misimovic. Excellent save I
:09:24. > :09:25.Romero to push the header from Lulic and round the post, and a flashing
:09:26. > :09:58.header it was as well. Hard and low straight into Romero,
:09:59. > :10:10.making a fairly comfortable save from Hajrovic. This one was very
:10:11. > :10:14.good. He has found himself out of favour at Monaco, Romero. There have
:10:15. > :10:18.been some suggestions that because he has not played a lot of football,
:10:19. > :10:20.he might not be in the greatest shape to be the first choice in this
:10:21. > :10:37.World Cup, but that was a good save. Argentina are not the best team we
:10:38. > :11:29.have seen yet, on the evidence of this. Not at all.
:11:30. > :11:40.Disappointing, and the raised arms of the coach tell you what he
:11:41. > :11:56.thought of that effort. Waste. Argentina giving the ball away.
:11:57. > :14:18.added time at the end of the half they will be. -- there will be. One
:14:19. > :14:43.added minute. to bed, this, would it? I don't
:14:44. > :15:26.know. Let's be optimistic. Messi is out there. Edin Dzeko is out there.
:15:27. > :15:30.quality of their players. Very poor. The whistle goes. That is the end of
:15:31. > :15:39.the first half. There is the unfortunate man, colour Assen natch
:15:40. > :15:43.-- colour Assen neck. A bad start for Bosnia. They have matched
:15:44. > :15:48.Argentina pretty much since then. Dzeko has not seen a lot of the
:15:49. > :16:00.ball. Begovic has made a save from Mascherano.
:16:01. > :16:08.Argentina lead at half-time. But it has not been very impressive? Very
:16:09. > :16:19.disappointing. Probably the worst first-half until now. By the way,
:16:20. > :16:27.whoever is not supporting Argentina in the Macca Rana, is sending bad
:16:28. > :16:33.vibes too Messi. -- the Maracana. He gives the ball away easy. We expect
:16:34. > :16:39.we watch a better game in the second half. I have watched a lot of messy.
:16:40. > :16:44.I had a feeling he may be saving himself because his form has been
:16:45. > :16:48.pretty poor. -- Messi. Covering a lot less ground in matches. But
:16:49. > :16:53.looking at that I don't know if it is his confidence, if he is not
:16:54. > :16:59.happy. He has a different player. We build him up before the game. And
:17:00. > :17:04.Aguero and Di Maria. They have not had a kick. They have been terrible.
:17:05. > :17:06.Argentina have been slow and ponderous. They have created
:17:07. > :17:13.nothing. When you think of their forward power, they have not created
:17:14. > :17:17.anything. But you have to give Bosnia credit for that. In fact,
:17:18. > :17:22.they have been the better team. They are lucky to be behind. It is a
:17:23. > :17:26.shame it happened so early on. They are playing one up front. I think if
:17:27. > :17:30.they were a bit more adventurous, they could actually go and get
:17:31. > :17:35.something out of this game. Without putting too much forward. If they
:17:36. > :17:42.were able to get a bit more support in the Dzeko, I think there may get
:17:43. > :17:48.more success. -- into Dzeko. Perhaps then you do not close down the key
:17:49. > :17:51.Argentinian players. Eventually they have to let loose. They are a goal
:17:52. > :17:57.down. I don't think they deserve to be a goal down. Messi looks
:17:58. > :18:01.disinterested. It has been an aspect of his game for the last few months.
:18:02. > :18:08.Bosnia done a great job, the midfield. Particularly deserts. I
:18:09. > :18:16.think he has been excellent. There has been a flatness about Argentina.
:18:17. > :18:20.-- Besic. They have a great centre forward who is making decent runs
:18:21. > :18:26.but they cannot find him. Wouldn't you think their confidence would be
:18:27. > :18:36.flying after that early goal? It has not happened at all. It was a
:18:37. > :18:42.fortunate goal for them. Myself and Neal agree that the defender has two
:18:43. > :18:47.when the ball. That is the only fault you can pick with it. That is
:18:48. > :18:54.the problem they have. Spahic should win the ball. The defender cannot do
:18:55. > :19:03.anything about it. That was unlucky. I agree. Marcos Rojo should score
:19:04. > :19:09.the header. It is a poor header. It has been symptomatic of the game so
:19:10. > :19:21.far. I suppose that was Messi's best moment of the first-half, a free
:19:22. > :19:28.kick. Yes. I think the worst wafer Argentina to score is by set pieces.
:19:29. > :19:36.The Argentinian attitude after the goal... Bosnia are not giving them
:19:37. > :19:43.any time. Whenever he gets that ball, whether it's Pjanic or Besic,
:19:44. > :19:52.they have handled them incredibly well. He normally finds a way to
:19:53. > :19:59.wriggle past players like that. He does not seem to be the same as he
:20:00. > :20:07.was before. Bosnia do brilliantly. The guy holds him up. The Messi of
:20:08. > :20:10.old would have got a shot away. They just need to show a little bit more
:20:11. > :20:17.ambition, Bosnia, and I think they will get something out of it. Bases
:20:18. > :20:22.his run. Great run to get him away. But again, the way the defenders get
:20:23. > :20:26.back. Don't give up on him. Don't give him a second on the ball. If he
:20:27. > :20:32.beats one, he is running into another defender. It is probably the
:20:33. > :20:39.only time he has shone bright as in his game tonight. He could not
:20:40. > :20:43.really get the ball under control. Towards the end of the season just
:20:44. > :20:48.finished, just before Christmas he was out with a few hamstring
:20:49. > :20:53.problems, and ever since then he has never seemed to quite move the same.
:20:54. > :21:01.I wonder if there is something not quite right? What I thought it's
:21:02. > :21:05.probably his idea is more fresh. Maybe it takes so long to react. It
:21:06. > :21:10.is not like Messi. It is very strange. Maybe he is feeling the
:21:11. > :21:18.pressure on his back because everyone is saying that he is World
:21:19. > :21:20.Cup. -- it is his World Cup. Maybe his adrenaline in the first game is
:21:21. > :21:26.too high. Don't write him out yet. his adrenaline in the first game is
:21:27. > :21:32.too high. Don't write him out yet. There is still 45 minutes to go. As
:21:33. > :21:40.for Bosnia, they did not have too many opportunities but the best one
:21:41. > :21:47.was the header from Lulic? Yes, a set piece. Always dangerous. Great
:21:48. > :21:50.header, great save. If you get the first header in there was always a
:21:51. > :21:54.great chance of scoring. We have seen that in the Champions League
:21:55. > :22:02.final this year. I always liked people on the post. I do. Especially
:22:03. > :22:07.when you give free headers away. A very good save. Group E got underway
:22:08. > :22:10.earlier when France met Honduras. Switzerland played Ecuador in
:22:11. > :22:19.Brasilia. They were watched by Dave Woods.
:22:20. > :22:35.It is in! And Ecuador, in the shape of Valencia, the opening goal. His
:22:36. > :22:38.fifth successive international goal. Nothing the goalkeeper could do to
:22:39. > :22:47.keep that out. Just bounced away from him. Ecuador have the lead.
:22:48. > :22:57.Rodriguez will take the corner kick. It is in! My word! What a thunderous
:22:58. > :23:01.header! What an impact from the substitutes bench. He will tell you
:23:02. > :23:06.it was planned all along. He has only been on the field for a matter
:23:07. > :23:12.of two minutes. And he has scored the equalising goal.
:23:13. > :23:23.The energy provided here by Antonio Valencia... He took too long. He
:23:24. > :23:30.took too long. He allowed their Ramey to get him with a challenge.
:23:31. > :23:36.The advantages to Switzerland. Maybe they have got the sucker punch.
:23:37. > :23:47.They have got a winner! With less than 30 seconds to play! It is
:23:48. > :23:54.another's subs -- super substitution for Switzerland. Swiss delight.
:23:55. > :24:21.Winners by 2-1. He is a silly boy. He will have to
:24:22. > :24:25.go. He goes in with a scything tackle. He has had another little
:24:26. > :24:34.nibble at him and the young man has had enough. He sticks out at him.
:24:35. > :24:39.There is a yellow card for Palacios. It is only a yellow.
:24:40. > :25:04.Penalty! Red! Palacio is with the push. He is sent off. France, by
:25:05. > :25:10.now, should be ahead. And they are. In the last minute of the
:25:11. > :25:11.first-half, they get their just reward. And France lead Honduras by
:25:12. > :25:24.a goal. Cleared away by Honduras. Did so
:25:25. > :25:31.well in qualifying to finish third against the USA. Ben Zamalka! It has
:25:32. > :25:50.stayed out. The goal-line technology has ruled it is in. It has gone in!
:25:51. > :25:54.You have to trust the technology. Look at this again. We have seen so
:25:55. > :26:01.many spurious replays. It signals no goal! No goal has come up on the
:26:02. > :26:14.screen. The fans have heard it. The Honduras players have seen it. It is
:26:15. > :26:30.a goal there. The ball was still in play, so offensively it is a goal.
:26:31. > :26:38.Benzema! They have a third! Two for him. Good start for France. That was
:26:39. > :26:42.France's biggest World Cup win for 16 years and it leaves them top of
:26:43. > :26:56.Group E, level on points with Switzerland. They beat Ecuador.
:26:57. > :27:05.We can pop back to the Mac -- Maracana and hear from Rio Ferdinand
:27:06. > :27:10.and Mark Chapman. How have you seen the first-half? As a football fan,
:27:11. > :27:17.bit disappointing. We have all come to see Messi and he has been out of
:27:18. > :27:21.sorts. Good positions early on. Disappointed on that front. I
:27:22. > :27:26.thought Bosnia, when they have had the ball, they have got to the final
:27:27. > :27:34.third very well. When they have got there they have not put the ball
:27:35. > :27:38.into Dzeko. If Messi has disappointed us, a Bosnian
:27:39. > :27:44.midfielder has really impressed you. Rudi Garcia, the Roma coach, said if
:27:45. > :27:51.the club tried to sell Pjanic he would chain himself to the stadium
:27:52. > :28:00.gates. You can see why. He is so composed. He has been shielding the
:28:01. > :28:05.back four. Worked his socks off. Shuffling from side to side to make
:28:06. > :28:12.sure the ball does not go into Messi or greyer. They have the balls out
:28:13. > :28:16.wide to the full-backs. That is they are out ball? Definitely. They know
:28:17. > :28:22.when they are under a bit of pressure, they are getting to the
:28:23. > :28:28.halfway line. Argentina aeroplane wing-backs. On the Argentine... The
:28:29. > :28:34.centre halves have two take more responsibility? Yes, B3 centre
:28:35. > :28:37.halves that Argentina have got have got a responsibility. Push
:28:38. > :28:43.Mascherano up the pitch. Get him out of the way. Get the -- get the ball
:28:44. > :28:48.to is higher up the pitch. You want to see Di Maria getting the ball.
:28:49. > :28:54.You want him to run the back four. Allow space for the likes of Aguero.
:28:55. > :29:02.You have done a midfielder running at you as well? Yes, he has a
:29:03. > :29:05.fantastic season. He gets it in the midfield, turns at his first thought
:29:06. > :29:13.is to run as a midfielder and ask questions at the back. The chanting
:29:14. > :29:17.with -- was quite entertaining. The Argentines singing that Maradona
:29:18. > :29:20.were better than Pellow. The Brazilians responded with five times
:29:21. > :29:30.champions. That shut the Argentines up. What do you expect from the
:29:31. > :29:36.second half? They better Argentina side? I think so. They know they
:29:37. > :29:42.need to play better. Probably the manager will say something. Maybe
:29:43. > :29:49.change the line-up. Put some more guys on the midfield. Di Maria,
:29:50. > :29:54.Messi... They need to do something. But this change formation has not
:29:55. > :30:00.really worked. Site no, because of the weight Bosnia has approached it
:30:01. > :30:04.and they are them down. There will come a time in the second half when
:30:05. > :30:12.the coach is going to have to say, I am going to have to throw another
:30:13. > :30:24.attacker on here. They have it be so rich. I think the Bosnian coach will
:30:25. > :30:32.be happy. -- they have Sony in breach. Considering the dreadful
:30:33. > :30:40.start, the midfield boys have done very well. Getting support has been
:30:41. > :30:43.a problem and that needs to change. Argentina it will be in their
:30:44. > :30:48.getting a bit of a pasting from the coach. The passing and movement have
:30:49. > :30:56.been poor. One of the centre halves has to take responsibility, step
:30:57. > :31:03.into midfield. I have got to start to move the ball quicker. Whether
:31:04. > :31:11.they change the formation is another thing. A couple of substitutions.
:31:12. > :31:25.Not particularly happy with the first half performance. There is a
:31:26. > :31:31.grain. -- let's rejoin our commentators.
:31:32. > :31:46.Maxi Rodriguez is taken off and it gave me comes on. Campagnaro has
:31:47. > :31:58.gone off. So it is four on the back, with Campagnaro being the
:31:59. > :32:02.extra defender. The Bosnians are on the front foot from the kick-off.
:32:03. > :32:15.They have not made any changes. A corner. Won quickly there.
:32:16. > :32:36.The coach has decided it is not working and it is not good enough.
:32:37. > :32:50.Argentina call for offside and they get offside. Lulic. There is Gago.
:32:51. > :33:03.The midfielder. Never really made it at Real Madrid, in all honesty. And
:33:04. > :33:07.it gave has great experienced -- Gonzalo Higuain has great experience
:33:08. > :33:33.at Napoli. This is the man who was unfortunate
:33:34. > :33:38.to score that own goal three minutes into the game, Kolasinac putting
:33:39. > :33:53.Argentina in front with an own goal. Smacked away for an Argentina throw
:33:54. > :34:30.by ermine Bicakcic. Change of formation and personnel,
:34:31. > :34:32.whatever, is one thing, but there seems to be slightly more pace about
:34:33. > :35:14.the Argentina 's as well. Yes. A free kick. Well, Fernandez is
:35:15. > :35:19.protesting his innocence there. I think he got the ball but the
:35:20. > :35:27.referee says it came through the back of the player. Daft, really,
:35:28. > :35:37.because where would Dzeko go with it? This will be interesting.
:35:38. > :35:52.Pjanic is walking away from this. Is it Hajrovic? To take this free kick
:35:53. > :35:53.for Bosnia-Herzegovina. The referee warning that wall to keep their arms
:35:54. > :36:03.down. Hajrovic. Straightforward save.
:36:04. > :36:43.Although Romero was on his toes. Gonzalo Higuain scored nine goals to
:36:44. > :37:08.Messi's ten in the qualifying for this World Cup.
:37:09. > :37:30.Just too much pace on matter. -- on fact.
:37:31. > :37:35.ball as he would like. Perhaps you have to make a sacrifice for the
:37:36. > :37:38.team as a whole, but Dzeko and Ibisevic are a threat together. I
:37:39. > :37:56.think Bosnia will make a change. That is one way of clearing the
:37:57. > :38:02.ball. Not necessarily be easy used way. He will have looked at that.
:38:03. > :38:11.Flicked it against the back of his leg.
:38:12. > :38:26.I thought he was fouled. Zabaleta is tough as old boots.
:38:27. > :38:37.This is the farm now. Yes. Kolasinac was trying to get across him. It is
:38:38. > :39:01.what happened next. This is the foul now.
:39:02. > :39:43.Susic is known as a coach who takes risks, generally. Coach who loves to
:39:44. > :40:28.attack. Hajrovic straight into the midriff
:40:29. > :40:32.of Romero. I would like to see them go a bit more direct. It is a bit of
:40:33. > :40:58.a slalom run. Goalkick. He claims a corner. Just
:40:59. > :41:15.spilled it. Di Maria started it off as well.
:41:16. > :41:26.Should it not have been a corner? No.
:41:27. > :41:34.Bosnia have had more efforts at goal than Argentina in this game so far.
:41:35. > :41:37.That is still the scoreline, since that very early own goal by
:41:38. > :41:51.Kolasinac. Di Maria, first into box and met
:41:52. > :43:03.dangerously by Spahic. Piece likely got in his way at the
:43:04. > :43:13.end. He slightly got in his way at the end.
:43:14. > :43:26.Before Bosnia had been officially recognised as a country by fee for,
:43:27. > :43:27.-- by FIFA, they played and unofficial match against Iran in
:43:28. > :44:00.Teheran. The angle that we are watching from,
:44:01. > :44:01.I thought that Fernandez was going to score the second goal of the
:44:02. > :44:18.game. Claiming a handball on Mascherano. I
:44:19. > :44:44.do not think it was. A great ball in.
:44:45. > :44:54.What a waste in the end. Under no pressure whatsoever.
:44:55. > :44:59.There is no pressure on him. He had plenty of time to look up and pick
:45:00. > :45:20.his spot. The deflection almost took it into
:45:21. > :45:24.the path of Messi. It was a clever pass. Extremely well disguised. It
:45:25. > :46:05.caught everybody off-guard. A lot of these players based in
:46:06. > :46:09.Germany. Bigger chick will be at Hoffenheim next season. -- the
:46:10. > :46:25.Cekic. That was well bred. Not sure whether
:46:26. > :46:35.to go forward or back. The worst idea was to give it to Messi.
:46:36. > :46:59.Begovic is there. Too close to the keeper. The game is stretching.
:47:00. > :47:08.The shot was rising always over the bar. He did not play any part in
:47:09. > :47:14.qualifying for this World Cup. Berlin born and Bosnia's youngest
:47:15. > :47:20.ever international. He has broken into the team since they qualified.
:47:21. > :47:21.And he looks the part, Besic. He has had an outstanding game and his mate
:47:22. > :47:54.alongside him as well. The blue shirts forage forward
:47:55. > :48:17.again. Dzeko is offside. Edin Dzeko scored their winner
:48:18. > :48:24.against Ivory Coast in one of their warm up matches. They had some good
:48:25. > :48:26.results before they came out here. They beat Ivory Coast and Mexico in
:48:27. > :48:47.the last couple of friendlies. Di Maria is operating further
:48:48. > :48:53.forward. That is a free kick. Clever Aguero. Just managed to get enough
:48:54. > :49:08.of his body in front of the man. There is a yellow card here for
:49:09. > :49:13.Spahic. He holds his hands up in acknowledgement that it is probably
:49:14. > :49:26.a right decision. It was certainly the right decision. I think you will
:49:27. > :49:37.be delighted with only a yellow. -- he will be delighted.
:49:38. > :49:52.That is a long ten yards. You would not want him to measure the room up
:49:53. > :49:58.for a carpet, would you? ! The referee has obviously got a very
:49:59. > :50:05.long stride. Here is Messi for Argentina. Leading by 1-0. Messi
:50:06. > :50:20.over the wall, over the bar. The story of his night. Never threatened
:50:21. > :50:32.to get anywhere near the goal. Not at all.
:50:33. > :50:46.Some of those Argentine supporters looking a bit nervous. Yes, in a
:50:47. > :51:02.state of flux. Change is coming for Bosnia. Let's see who it is.
:51:03. > :51:20.Argentina have made two substitutions, of course. Messi!
:51:21. > :51:28.That is what they came for! , train and automobile, 50,000 Argentines
:51:29. > :51:32.who found their way to real. You would argue he is the only person on
:51:33. > :51:37.the pitch could have created and taken that golfer himself. He just
:51:38. > :51:45.seems to have a little bit of extra zip in his stride. It is a fantastic
:51:46. > :51:54.finish. This was Lionel Messi at something like his best again. His
:51:55. > :52:08.last torch, he takes it away from goal again. -- touch. You don't save
:52:09. > :52:13.those. He knew exactly what he was going to do with it. You never even
:52:14. > :52:21.looks at the goalkeeper. You do not see his eyes move at all that any
:52:22. > :52:30.states. -- at any stage. Lionel Messi scores for Argentina to double
:52:31. > :52:37.their lead, just as the Bosnia-Herzgovina coaches telling
:52:38. > :52:40.his other main striker, I'd say which -- it beat Simic, to get
:52:41. > :53:09.himself ready. That is Messi's 39th international
:53:10. > :53:20.goal. There were only Bosnian spike in the danger zone. Mascherano back
:53:21. > :53:21.in. These are dangerous moments for Bosnia-Herzgovina. Suddenly
:53:22. > :53:26.Argentina looked a different prospect. They have been ignited by
:53:27. > :54:07.the goal. At 1-0 you would not have ruled out
:54:08. > :54:15.the possibility of Bosnia getting back into this game. It is hard now.
:54:16. > :54:23.Lionel Messi's first World Cup final goal since 2006, eight years ago
:54:24. > :54:27.tomorrow. Visca is also going to come on. It will be a double change
:54:28. > :54:43.for Bosnia-Herzgovina. Not a blue shirt within 30 yards of
:54:44. > :55:00.Edin Dzeko. He did well to win a corner.
:55:01. > :55:16.With the corner, the substitution is made. The right back is coming off.
:55:17. > :55:39.Mujdza coming off. Ibisevic coming on.
:55:40. > :55:50.Here is the goal again. At no stage did he look. Defenders tumbling like
:55:51. > :56:07.dominoes around him. He has just had a little bit more
:56:08. > :56:26.room to work with, with the extra player upfront.
:56:27. > :56:32.They are just starting, Argentina, to look like the team we thought we
:56:33. > :56:36.would see from the first minute. It has taken a while but they are now
:56:37. > :56:47.beginning to look like a proper good football team. Yes, just starting to
:56:48. > :56:58.showcase their skills. Hajrovic is coming off so that Edin Visca can
:56:59. > :57:10.come on. He is also a wide player. He plays in Turkey. He plays for
:57:11. > :57:13.Istanbul. That whistled through them all. The man who was nearest to get
:57:14. > :57:55.the torch was Fernandez. -- touch. They are really enjoying themselves
:57:56. > :58:09.now, the Argentine fans. Di Maria the Marcos Rojo. -- to.
:58:10. > :58:48.We have seen a few of these. Great ball, actually.
:58:49. > :58:55.Medunjanin is going to, and shortly for Bosnia-Herzgovina. The last
:58:56. > :59:05.change. He is a defensive midfielder. -- Mendon Jane is coming
:59:06. > :00:04.on. There could be opportunities here.
:00:05. > :00:09.The substitution is about to happen. Ibisevic is the player taken off.
:00:10. > :00:32.Messi thinks what to do with this free kick. Mejia Jeanine -- maiden
:00:33. > :00:38.Jeanine about to come on. -- Haris Medunjanin. Who do Argentina play
:00:39. > :01:16.next? Against Iran. Di Maria reached that but unable to
:01:17. > :01:22.keep the ball in. Easy for them now. It is a different game, it really
:01:23. > :01:28.is. Quite a difference, that goal has made. It has lifted not only
:01:29. > :01:38.Messi but everybody around him. When you bring an extra arm, it is a
:01:39. > :02:04.statement of intent, isn't it? -- an extra bowl in.
:02:05. > :02:12.he has had to wait a long time for. I think that ball was out way
:02:13. > :02:29.before. I think the referee was enjoying watching the little tussle.
:02:30. > :02:39.A couple of yards wide of Begovic's post.
:02:40. > :02:56.That was not the best bit. They cut the best bit out.
:02:57. > :03:39.Bicakcic is now playing right back, since the substitutions.
:03:40. > :03:47.Nearly. He was onside. The first fixture is always difficult, isn't
:03:48. > :03:55.it? All you can do, basically, is win it.
:03:56. > :03:59.He has certainly become a different player in the last ten or 15
:04:00. > :04:09.minutes. He is the Messi we know. Higuain had a good World Cup four
:04:10. > :04:43.years ago, in South Africa. Can't see a way back into this for
:04:44. > :05:05.Susic and his side now. It was always going to be their most
:05:06. > :05:15.difficult test, to play Argentina in the opening game. I quite fancy
:05:16. > :05:20.them, Mark, if it does come down to Argentina beating everybody and
:05:21. > :05:23.everybody beating Iran, it will come down to who prevails between
:05:24. > :05:26.Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria. I certainly think they have a chance
:05:27. > :05:45.of winning that. Yes. Foul on Dzeko, who has largely had
:05:46. > :06:01.to live off scraps, really. Bosnia have lost their way a bit
:06:02. > :07:08.now. Made in Jenin won the U21
:07:09. > :07:14.Championship with the Netherlands. -- Haris Medunjanin. Then he
:07:15. > :07:47.switched to the country of his parentage.
:07:48. > :08:00.How quickly did he get from one end to the other? Well, if you are three
:08:01. > :08:05.on three, they are three you do not want to be up against, aren't they?
:08:06. > :09:14.Spahic did well. It has been an occasion of great
:09:15. > :09:19.significance for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Not the result they dreamt of but
:09:20. > :09:24.probably the one they would have expected. It is a country recovering
:09:25. > :09:25.from some awful flooding earlier this year. The worst for over a
:09:26. > :10:41.century. And it has crept in! Ibisevic with
:10:42. > :10:50.the goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina. And that is a moment in their history!
:10:51. > :10:58.First ever goal in a major final. Great ball in, as well.
:10:59. > :11:10.A lovely run from the. -- from Ibisevic. And there are six minutes
:11:11. > :11:27.to play. Argentinian substitution, I think.
:11:28. > :11:31.Yes, Biglia is waiting to come on. Ibisevic has written his name into
:11:32. > :11:35.the annals of sporting history in his country. And he has given them a
:11:36. > :12:38.glimmer, here. The noise now is being made in
:12:39. > :12:54.Bosnia's favour, by a combination of their fans and Brazilians.
:12:55. > :13:17.Aguero coming off. His race is run. The Lazio player comes on. He is
:13:18. > :13:23.often used in exactly this situation, to come on and hold onto
:13:24. > :13:28.they have. Just too close the game off. Aguero is going as slowly as he
:13:29. > :14:42.possibly can. He does not inclined to get up at
:14:43. > :14:54.the moment. -- seem inclined to get up.
:14:55. > :15:28.That was borderline yellow card. He got away with that.
:15:29. > :15:35.Less than two minutes of normal time to play. The first thing Bosnia need
:15:36. > :16:15.is the ball. Easier said than done. Edin Dzeko could not take that in
:16:16. > :16:19.his stride. Higuain getting forward. Messi at the back post. The defender
:16:20. > :16:43.makes the block. Just about time. Just about time.
:16:44. > :16:50.Three added minutes. Yes. They have the gamble, don't they? Argentina
:16:51. > :16:51.have recent history of conceding late goals. That will be weighing
:16:52. > :17:02.heavily on their mind. Naturally they are not in a great
:17:03. > :17:45.hurry to take it. Just hoping for one last half
:17:46. > :17:49.chance. Hoping it will fall to Edin Dzeko or the beast of it. -- BBC
:17:50. > :17:57.rich. Good tackle by Spahic. Here they
:17:58. > :18:35.come. Five in this attack. They deem... Messi. Side netting. He
:18:36. > :18:38.defended it well. Forced him onto his left and forced him onto his
:18:39. > :18:52.right. They are having a laugh between them as well. 55 seconds
:18:53. > :18:56.remaining. Not much more than that. The first half was very
:18:57. > :19:05.disappointing. The second half has been much better. Is there a sting
:19:06. > :19:13.in the tail? He turns away, put his head in his hands. That is probably
:19:14. > :19:21.that. The managers in the middle of a square up as well. What a waste. I
:19:22. > :19:28.think the reporter Argentina if they win is, must do better. They have
:19:29. > :19:39.done a lot of things denied. -- poorly tonight.
:19:40. > :19:55.And that will seal Argentina's victory. Lionel Messi got the girl
:19:56. > :20:02.he wanted. He doubled the lead. -- got the goal he wanted. An historic
:20:03. > :20:05.goal for Bosnia-Herzgovina. But Messi and Argentina have the victory
:20:06. > :20:11.they wanted, the victory they respected -- expected. They have won
:20:12. > :20:17.their opening game at this 2014 World Cup. They will now go on to
:20:18. > :20:26.take Iran. Bosnia will play Nigeria. That could be very significant.
:20:27. > :20:30.Argentina win by 2-1. That livened up. Well played all of you who
:20:31. > :20:36.resisted the urge to go to bed when you got players like Messi on the
:20:37. > :20:40.page, you never know whether you may miss something special. And wasn't
:20:41. > :20:45.it special? Struggle for a while, Alan, to find his game. Thought
:20:46. > :20:50.maybe the occasion was too much in the first half. But boy, that was
:20:51. > :20:55.the Messi we have learned to know and love. We all highlighted him at
:20:56. > :21:00.half-time, felt he lacked have five yard. Whether the manager has given
:21:01. > :21:05.him a pint of confidence at half-time, that is what it looked
:21:06. > :21:08.like. That is where a manager earns his money. Sabella looked at that in
:21:09. > :21:15.the first Avanti thought, the five at the back is not working. He took
:21:16. > :21:27.one of the centre halves of and he brought Eugene on. -- Higuain.
:21:28. > :21:28.Eventually it opened up. Messi's have a yard that we thought was
:21:29. > :21:29.lacking Eventually it opened up. Messi's
:21:30. > :21:33.have a yard that we thought was lacking in the first half, came back
:21:34. > :21:37.in the second half. He was more like the player we know. The change
:21:38. > :21:43.helped the team and won them the game. Much more entertaining in the
:21:44. > :21:49.second half? It was better. Messi got his goal, his best way. But to
:21:50. > :21:53.be honest, it was not a good test for Argentina. I think they need to
:21:54. > :22:01.perform better if they want to go on. It was a good second half.
:22:02. > :22:09.Argentina get some movement. I was disappointed about Di Maria. I
:22:10. > :22:15.expect more from Di Maria. If Di Maria played well, maybe Messi and
:22:16. > :22:20.Aguero can play better, too. We'll see next games. If you get a
:22:21. > :22:23.performance like that as a manager, you make the changes at half-time
:22:24. > :22:28.and your team is better in the second half, is that a mistake for
:22:29. > :22:33.the way you lined up at the start or is it brilliant management for
:22:34. > :22:36.changing it at half-time? It is good management. He admits he got it
:22:37. > :22:41.wrong. He is telling the public and the players he got it wrong. Let's
:22:42. > :22:46.see if we can improve. It was night and day. It was a lot better. There
:22:47. > :22:54.was a spark and an urgency, and Aguero had a partner to work with.
:22:55. > :23:01.Mark was right. Once he played the one, two, and got the ball back, he
:23:02. > :23:05.got that little surge that was lacking in the first half. We said
:23:06. > :23:11.what was missing in the first-half was urgency. That was missing. I
:23:12. > :23:20.still think they can improve. It was better in the second half. It was a
:23:21. > :23:26.magical goal. We have seen him score goals like that so many times. That
:23:27. > :23:30.was him at his best? It was brilliant. The way he picked the
:23:31. > :23:36.ball up, the pace, the penetration through the back four. That, and the
:23:37. > :23:40.finish, after running away you have come from, to still have the energy
:23:41. > :23:45.and precision to put it where he did, when defenders are coming in
:23:46. > :23:52.for him, just genius. Brilliant. Great skill. Maybe other players get
:23:53. > :23:59.the shot before he delivers the last one. He knew what he was doing. In
:24:00. > :24:05.that moment may be other players could have a shot. But he is
:24:06. > :24:12.fantastic. His ability is fantastic. You just see players falling over
:24:13. > :24:17.themselves to get after him. You can see how much it means to him. He was
:24:18. > :24:22.under pressure. He had to perform and he has to perform in this World
:24:23. > :24:29.Cup. He was flat in the first half. The change has helped enormously. If
:24:30. > :24:33.you want to -- you want to look at the goal from a different
:24:34. > :24:44.perspective? Hull I do. The manager brought another forward on. He has
:24:45. > :24:47.got Higuain and Aguero ahead of him. That space never occurred in the
:24:48. > :24:51.first half because he always had a couple of players around him. With
:24:52. > :24:56.two players up front, he has the space he can run into. They are not
:24:57. > :25:02.just fighting and Aguero, they are fighting Aguero and Higuain. That
:25:03. > :25:05.gives Messi the space. If he does that, he will punish you. The
:25:06. > :25:12.manager deserves great credit for the change. It was a change that was
:25:13. > :25:16.necessary but it seems strange that he played that way in the first half
:25:17. > :25:22.because that way has been so successful for them? Exactly. Even
:25:23. > :25:30.against Bosnia. They were expected to attack all the time. Don't have
:25:31. > :25:37.to worry about the defence. I think it proves that. And maybe in the
:25:38. > :25:45.second game he will stand with the team in the second half. I doubt we
:25:46. > :25:49.will see that system again. It certainly was pretty flat and it did
:25:50. > :25:56.not suit the better players in the Argentinian team. You have to pay
:25:57. > :26:03.credit to suit each as well. -- Safet Susic. The signs came quickly
:26:04. > :26:12.in the second half that this was suiting Argentina better? They were
:26:13. > :26:15.on the front foot. One touch, two tortures. When good players are
:26:16. > :26:22.playing at this pace, it is difficult to live with them. Instead
:26:23. > :26:25.of the four tortures they had in the first-half, it is now in there. The
:26:26. > :26:31.passing and movement was better. They have more options going
:26:32. > :26:38.forward. Very rare poor finish from him. He must know you have if you
:26:39. > :26:46.quit on him! Allen is spot on. The movement and illustration was
:26:47. > :26:54.better. -- penetration. When you play quickly, the spaces will
:26:55. > :27:02.appear. That is what Argentina did in the second half. Gago's
:27:03. > :27:11.performance from the start of the ball was important. Giving a clear
:27:12. > :27:17.boil for Messi and Aguero. I think Gago makes a little bit the
:27:18. > :27:21.difference in the second half. The key in these clips is every time
:27:22. > :27:28.Messi has the ball he has got three or four players ahead of him. He
:27:29. > :27:34.never had those options in the first-half. And that is what created
:27:35. > :27:40.the space. He has Aguero running off him, Higuain running off. If they
:27:41. > :27:49.are not doing it, he has got Di Maria. That creates the space for
:27:50. > :27:53.Messi. And that is why he was a hell of a lot better in the second half
:27:54. > :28:01.than he was in the first-half. Iterative decision by Sabella to
:28:02. > :28:06.bring the real Messi on a half-time! It is a joy to watch him play in
:28:07. > :28:10.full flow. It is only him who can score the kinds of goals. He is like
:28:11. > :28:17.a big kid on the playground at times. The system they started
:28:18. > :28:20.within the first-half has worked for them. They went and qualified in
:28:21. > :28:30.Colombia. They played Chile home and away and beat them. Do they work
:28:31. > :28:37.better as a counterattacking team? Absolutely. It is the first game of
:28:38. > :28:45.the competition. He is feeling it. Bosnia scored their first ever World
:28:46. > :28:51.Cup goal. He didn't have a choice, the culture. They were chasing the
:28:52. > :28:56.game. He brought Dzeko's strike partner run. It is a good finish. It
:28:57. > :29:17.is a good run. I think the goalkeeper should do better. Up
:29:18. > :29:23.until then Argentina were comfortable, but the psychology of
:29:24. > :29:27.the game scored as soon as Bosnia scored.
:29:28. > :29:36.What were your thoughts on Bosnia-Herzegovina as a side?
:29:37. > :29:42.Became to have fun. They knew the game was going to become placated
:29:43. > :29:47.for them. During the game, I think they expected it to be more
:29:48. > :29:54.difficult than they found. But it was not a good test for Argentina. I
:29:55. > :29:59.suppose the start didn't really happen, did it? It was always going
:30:00. > :30:05.to be difficult after conceding an own goal in the first two minutes
:30:06. > :30:09.you concede in a World Cup finals. You would hope to get off to a
:30:10. > :30:15.better start. They should win the first header there, they do not. It
:30:16. > :30:19.is unlikely but they recovered well after that. -- it is unlucky.
:30:20. > :30:23.Without being too much of a threat, it would have been easy for them to
:30:24. > :30:27.put their heads down, to be disappointed, but they held their
:30:28. > :30:31.own in the first half. But there was not a lot going forward from them.
:30:32. > :30:35.We showed one or two clips at half-time but they were not really a
:30:36. > :30:43.threat. They were more concerned about stopping Messi but they held
:30:44. > :30:48.them well. We will hand over to Rio and Mark in a second but first we
:30:49. > :30:53.have some news in of further demonstrations. Police have used
:30:54. > :30:58.tear gas to block a march by about 200 protesters heading towards the
:30:59. > :31:00.Maracana tonight. A stand-off concede with demonstrators are
:31:01. > :31:06.massing near a police line regarding the route to the stadium. Before we
:31:07. > :31:14.go to Rio Thomas Juninho, your thoughts on the protests and why
:31:15. > :31:18.this is happening. Do these people have a point? Yes, but I do not
:31:19. > :31:22.agree with the protesting in the World Cup. They should do the
:31:23. > :31:28.protest before that. They have to separate the World Cup, what the
:31:29. > :31:36.Government expect. So everyone knows that should be less spending than we
:31:37. > :31:42.are, with the building. It is a lot of public money invested rather than
:31:43. > :31:48.invested in other areas. Everyone knows that, but I think that the
:31:49. > :31:55.protesters should protest in the right way, against the Government,
:31:56. > :31:58.not in the World Cup. Let's go back to the Maracana and joint Mark
:31:59. > :32:11.Chapman with RIO FERDINAND:. We were sat there and there was a
:32:12. > :32:19.real sense of disappointment through the stadium. They wanted to see
:32:20. > :32:24.Messi produce. He came and produced in the second half. That is why you
:32:25. > :32:29.come to the World Cup, to see something like that. You said to me,
:32:30. > :32:35.you come to the World Cup for skills. It was not just that. There
:32:36. > :32:40.were a couple more skills by the Argentines. Yes, he scored that goal
:32:41. > :32:45.and he came to life. He put his foot on the accelerator and went past
:32:46. > :32:50.people. He could have had maybe one or two more. For ten or 15 minutes
:32:51. > :32:54.he seemed to take the wind out of the Bosnians. You have been in that
:32:55. > :33:00.situation where it is quiet and quiet and one moment takes the game
:33:01. > :33:05.away. Yes, I have been there. The Bosnians would have felt
:33:06. > :33:10.comfortable. He looks out of sorts. Then all of a sudden, banged. He
:33:11. > :33:16.turned it on, the game has changed. The game is better at that point.
:33:17. > :33:25.Messi was the defining factor in the game. A quick word. Pjanic. You
:33:26. > :33:31.would expect them to have enough to get past Nigeria and Iran. Yes, they
:33:32. > :33:34.have a good chance. They were very composed especially in the first
:33:35. > :33:40.half. I think they have got to have a little bit more fight upfront. Get
:33:41. > :33:46.the ball to the front man. Dzeko did not get much of the ball today. Give
:33:47. > :33:51.him more opportunities. But you got what he wanted. You saw Messi score
:33:52. > :33:59.in the Maracana. Yes, that is what I wanted to see.
:34:00. > :34:04.He will be laughing at us later as well. I would have liked to have
:34:05. > :34:05.been there. Tomorrow Germany get started against Portugal. That means
:34:06. > :34:48.Ronaldo. We look forward to seeing those
:34:49. > :34:55.dancing feet tomorrow. We have seen Messi, it is Ronaldo's turn. I think
:34:56. > :35:01.it would have enjoyed Messi's first half performance more than his
:35:02. > :35:05.second. I bet he has been watching that tonight thinking that Messi has
:35:06. > :35:10.done the business, now he has to. That is the good thing about the
:35:11. > :35:15.World Cup, the majority of the big hitters have got off to a good
:35:16. > :35:21.start. Van Percy, Bollettieri... He has not been in the best of health.
:35:22. > :35:29.He has had tendinitis. He's not 100% fit. But footballers rarely are. He
:35:30. > :35:34.has had a wonderful season. I think she deserves to be World Player of
:35:35. > :35:40.the Year. He has a tough test tomorrow. Portugal are a good side,
:35:41. > :35:45.though. But they will have to do well against stiff opposition
:35:46. > :35:50.tomorrow. Are you a reminder man or a Messi man? In terms of the best
:35:51. > :35:56.player in the world? At the moment Ronaldo deserves it. Both are great.
:35:57. > :36:03.Tomorrow I think that Germany is a better team than Portugal, but when
:36:04. > :36:08.you have Ronaldo on the other side, you have to be careful. Next live
:36:09. > :36:15.game features the other two teams in Group F. Nigeria and Iran, live on
:36:16. > :36:19.BBC One from 7:30pm tomorrow. That is followed at 10:40pm by another
:36:20. > :36:30.African side when Ghana face the USA. Interesting games tomorrow. Two
:36:31. > :36:34.African sides. What we have seen is that it is so important, as we know,
:36:35. > :36:40.not to lose that first game. That is what they will be thinking tomorrow.
:36:41. > :36:45.A tough group. Thank you, gentlemen. Messi still might be the footballing
:36:46. > :36:52.messiah. For a while tonight he was just a very naughty boy. Good night.
:36:53. > :37:00.COMMENTATOR: The last time this stadium has seen a World Cup finals
:37:01. > :37:08.match there were 200,000 people inside. It has never before seen
:37:09. > :37:17.Lionel Messi. An own goal! And Argentina are in front! He looks a
:37:18. > :37:25.bit sluggish. The story of his night. Messi takes it up again. And
:37:26. > :37:32.he dances away. And he scores! Lionel Messi! Ibisevic is behind
:37:33. > :37:34.here and it has crept in! And that is a moment in their history.