Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina Match of the Day Live

Good evening and welcome back to Rio. Definitely worth staying up for

tonight, Argentina all up and playing in the Maracana.

Great that the airy Henri's taxi has got him there on time. In the 1950

World Cup final almost 200,000 people work crammed in to the

Maracana to see us ill leave to Uruguay. Now the capacity is 70,000.

It felt more like 1 Sir is today, as thousands of Argentinians travelled

here for the game against Bosnia. So many faces from the Premier League.

There is another 1. Dzeko, a big player for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here

is Alan Shearer and the man who had the temerity to head but Alan's

Bute, Neil Lennon. How could you? The boot never recovered. Stay

friends. Argentina have come to me DJ hero for this game. Tell us a bit

about the rivalry between the 2 countries. Yes, when you play

against Argentina, you feel if you don't win, don't go back to Brazil.

White two or 3 days. So Argentina are playing here tonight, we'll all

of Brazil be hoping they lose? We saw 32,000 came to Brazil by car,

flying or even by bicycle. Really? Yes. We saw that this afternoon. We

welcome them but on the field we always... The Brazilians will

support Bosnia. For the 1st time in many years, people are asking a few

questions about Messi's form. He has had injury problems. It is a big

tournament for him. A massive tournament. If he wants the iconic

status that Maradona has, he has to be successful in this World Cup. He

has to have a World Cup next to his name. He only has 1 goal in the

World Cup. But I think what has helped him is he had not scored in

16 matches under the previous management. The new management comes

in, he gives him the captaincy and straightaway, he responds with 10

goals in the next 12 games. So it just goes to show even the best

players need a hope, need to be loved, and need to feel part of it.

But it is really a massive tournament for him and his team.

Unbelievably prolific. Neil, you have managed the team against him on

1 or 2 occasions. What was the key to try to stop in? Tell your

defenders not to get too emotional. Stay on your feet as best as you

can. He has unbelievable ability to change pace very, very quickly. He

looks on the periphery of the game, as if he's not really interested,

and then the ball comes to his feet and a light goes on. He's absolutely

amazing. I saw him on the beach earlier, I think it was with

Maradona. Amazing what goes on on the Copacabana. A lot of fans,

thousands of Argentinians have been walking alongside there, getting

those pictures taken with those statues. Messi, do people in Brazil

think he is as good as the likes of Pele? I think he is but he needs to

have this standard, so he needs to do well for Argentina. Like Messi,

Argentina, probably in theory he is 1 of the best in the tournament but

everyone will not see it in the practice. I think he's the best I

have seen in my time. What he can do with the football, he runs, he can

go either way. Not bad for small guy. And his -- he's a defender's

nightmare. And I think Argentina will go 3 at the back.

We know that Mascherano and the two upfront, try to stop them if you

can! It is not a bad force for them to have if you have that option. Di

Maria, who I saw at the Champions League final, I was there, he was

without a doubt the Man of the Match. He gives them great options.

He can come inside and go at people. He can give them that bit of wit as

well and it goes without saying, he's an absolute workhorse in there.

It will be interesting to see Argentina play tonight. Yes,

fascinating. Di Maria has changed a bit as well as the season has gone

on. He has played from a deeper position in the field. Even in the

final with Real Madrid when he was chasing the goal... The way they

play the system, when they have gone into tougher games, Columbia, they

won in Chile, that is a sign of respect, and then lining up this way

today tells you about the team they play against. Bosnia-Herzegovina is

the only nation making their debut at this World Cup. They have come a

long way since they formed after the break-up of Yugoslavia. This is what

the game means to the people back home.

My family were born in Bosnia. My dad was a professional footballer. I

was at every training session and when I could I would clean his beats

and pick sure they were punished for his games. We had a good time here.

-- I would clean his boots and make sure they were polished for the

games. And then everything was torn apart. The country has been through

so much turmoil. I do not think there is a story out there that can

compare. What the war did to the country, and had decimated it was

this incredible. We basically packed up all things and put them in the

car and off we went. We had some family in Germany and we spent the

next 6 years our lives there. Then we made the decision to go to

Canada. I received Canadian citizenship. I was called up for the

national team and I played for them. The 1st time I ever came back to

Bosnia after the war was for my grandfather's funeral. That was the

1st time I reconnected with all my family, a lot of cousins. Here is my

grandma, from the same place as me. But after the war she and my grandad

came back here to live. I saw what it would mean to have my

family watch me in games, from Bosnia. Everyone is proud of the

fact I decided to represent my country. I finally received the call

and the rest is history. The national team is unique in the

world. From our starting level, only 1 player grew up in Bosnia, Dzeko. A

few of our jerseys on sale there. If you want to buy some jerseys... When

they decide to play for Bosnia, their homeland, every player who

decides that is a hero. There were other cases, players born in Bosnia

but playing for other countries. They are here treated as traitors.

Yes. That is the exact word, traitors. Others did not forget

where they came from, that they are Bosnians and they should play for

Bosnia. This is our 1st ever World Cup, and the mood, 1 word, euphoric.

This is the best thing that ever happened to this country. The

country has been excited since the day we qualified. Fantastic. Bosnia

did not have so much luck in the past and the Bosnian people suffered

a lot. The national team have succeeded in something which

politicians never got near, to unify the country, unify the people.

We know we are in for difficult games. It is a dream of our is to

play such a big game in the Maracana. You get goose bumps. You

dream of it as a kid, you work your whole career for it.

Interesting that 1 or 2 players, like Ibrahim the Fitch, are regarded

as traitors because they choose not to play for Bosnia. It will be

interesting to see the emotion on the players' faces. With the

national anthem. They have suffered enough and it is amazing what

football can do for people. It is amazing for them to be here, so

anything else will be a bonus. I know it is a hell of a tough 1st

game, but anything but they do in this tournament is a huge bonus for

them. That was a tough piece to watch, that, and there really were

strong words about Abraham. They need to play, not only in defence,

because 1 way or another, Messi, Di Maria, they will find a way to the

goal. You must have to attack to try. Everyone expects Argentina to

win. Nothing to fear. Let's see how Bosnia-Herzegovina line-up.

They have also changed formation, with Dzeko a lone striker. But

allows them to field 5 midfielders, including 1 of their key players,

Pjanic. He was 1 of the guys they were talking about. He had to flee

his family to Luxembourg. He is having a great season in

Italy. Dzeko, the only 1 who grew up in Bosnia. His strengths? He's big,

strong, can score goals. He had a fantastic season City last year. If

they want to change to plan B, he can play that way, and he's going to

have to put the likes of Pjanic to get up and support them. We know

he's a real strength, so you watch those balls. Once you get half an

opportunity, if they get into the final 3rd, expect them to put it in

the box. He will cause problems. I think they will go man to man on

Messi. The coach was saying they have to look after Messi. He is a

talismanic comment Dzeko. He is in the form of his life. City -- Bosnia

scored 30 goals in qualifying and he got a third of them. What these guys

have been through, they will show character. They will not fear these

guys at all. You put a challenge in front of them and they will face it.

I think they are a really dangerous team. Dzeko lines up against Aguero.

Between them, they scored 54 Goldsboro man -- for Manchester City

last season. -- 54 goals for Manchester City.

Whatever the game, the goals just keep on coming. They stride towards

the Premier League crown! One man who has played against both

is Rio Ferdinand. He is in the Maracana Stadium. Why don't we start

with Dzeko? What are the problems marking him? He is a big size. The

thing that sticks out for me is more about his movement. When the ball

goes wide, he ghosts about in the box. He can go 80 minutes without

touching a ball and bang. He is a fantastic finisher. At this level

concentration is massive. You have to be at your sharpest when you are

not in the game. You have to be ready to make sure that you can take

the ball. What about Aguero? He has been my hardest opponent in the last

couple of years. He is quick, he is strong, he is direct and he doesn't

like going either way. He can go left or right. That is always a big

danger. You can shut him down one side and you think he is weaker than

that side. He is difficult to control. As well as marking those

two, you have also marked Messi. That is a different level as well?

He is one footed but he can go either way. The thing that stands

out for me about him is he is cute upstairs. Sometimes he can hurt you

without the ball. Do you want to, and mark me? He knows that runners

will go in behind him. Do I stay away and let him dictate to me?

These are the questions he asks you. At this level these are daisies

and you have to make quickly. If you don't make them quickly enough, he

punishes you. Believes you mentally and physically tired? Definitely! I

have been there! You would give your eye teeth to be out here, wouldn't

you? Yes, every time I hear the cheering, the hairs on the back of

my neck stand up. I would rather be out there chasing one of those guys

out there and trying to win a game. But here we are. Here we are and we

are very lucky and we cannot wait. Back in 1986 Maradona led his team

to World Cup glory. Is this the time for a Lionel Messi to do the same?

Beautiful scenes in Rio de Janeiro the night. The Christ the Redeemer

statue hovers over the Maracana Stadium. Wonderful pictures.

Wonderful occasion. Argentina in the Maracana this evening. It is amazing

how we focus on Messi, but it is inevitable. This is the big time for

him. He could prove himself. People talk about him being the greatest

player of all time but he really does need to do something very

special in a World Cup to commence most people? I think so. That is the

best scenario for him. I think Argentina, the way that they line

up, it gives Messi more freedom to play. Up front with Aguero.

Everybody knows that. Everybody gives him the opportunity to do

that. What are the problem is when you do decide to go man on a player

like Messi? It can throw things in other areas. I don't think it is

such a great idea. You talk about maybe the nearest man going to press

him. Stay on your feet as long as you can and cajole him away from the

goal. That would be my idea. It was great listening to Rio. I don't

think it is an issue for Messi. It is a challenge if someone wants to

go and marking. Not that I'm ever putting myself in these guys shoes,

but if somebody was man marking me I would love it. It is me against you.

Him against everyone, he will be better. Great players find spaces.

If you have got man-to-man marking, you get past your man, people don't

know what to do. Exactly. I think you are wasting a player. He is good

enough anyway. He should have an impact. Two sides in the tunnel. It

is important he has a good World Cup. You want the big players to

have a good World Cup. All the big hitters have started really well.

They have got goals. Argentina to win? Yes, I think Argentina at the

best team in the tournament. Alan? Yes, I think Argentina may be too

strong. They will not find it easy but I think there it may be too

strong going forward. I fancy Argentina but I think both teams

will score. The two teams are walking out onto the field of play.

Another of the big boys enters the fray. It is Argentina and

Bosnia-Herzegovina. The commentator is Steve Wilson.

Messi at the Maracana are. Let's hope this does what it says on the

team. -- ten. The last time this stadium hosted a World Cup final,

200,000 people watched. It has never before hosted Lionel Messi. Playing

here for the first time tonight in his career. Eight years ago tomorrow

he scored his first and only World Cup finals goal. It is extraordinary

that the spiritual home of Brazilian football is full of Argentines.

Arguably the one thing that separates Messi from the legacy of

Maradona is a great World Cup. What a moment for the people of Bosnia

and Herzegovina. 3000 of their supporters are here.

Safet Susic, the coach, applauds. They lost in play-offs to Portugal

for the last World Cup and European Championships. They are finally here

on the big stage. And no bigger states than this. What an

atmosphere. It is fantastic. Only the World Cup can bring about such a

game like this, where Argentina, many people's favourites, play a

debit and international team in the World Cup in Bosnia. -- debutante.

Argentina may have Messi, Aguero and Di Maria, but they have kept five

consecutive clean sheets, too. Maxi Rodriguez starts. Higuain is out.

Tebbit did not even make the squad. -- ten rays did not even make the

squad of Alex Sabella, the former Leeds United player. The referee is

a Central American. He is a teacher from El Salvador. One of the

captains requires no introduction. The other is Emir Spahic. He plays

for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. So, a great story. Only

affiliated to FIFA in 1996. The only debutants at this World Cup. Most of

their squad born or raised abroad. More than a million Bosnians fled

their country during the Balkan war. Pjanic was one of the players of the

season in Italy. Begovic in goal. He may be one of the best keepers of

the tournament. They have included an extra defensive midfielder. That

is Muhamed Besic. It is Argentina, coached by Alex Sabella, in the home

kit. The blue and white striped shirts. Bosnia coached by Safet

Susic, who played for Paris Saint-Germain. They are all in blue.

It is Argentina will get this underway from left to right. We have

not had a draw yet in the World Cup. We have only had one goalless have.

not had a draw yet in the World Cup. We have only had one -- half. In

five matches, teams have come from behind to win. So far it has been

top drawer. And here we go in Group F. Argentina from left to right

against Bosnia-Herzgovina. Maxi Rodriguez, formerly of Atletico

Madrid and Liverpool. The booing from the Argentines comes from the

Brazilian contingent, here to support Bosnia. The Argentinian

full-backs have really pushed on. It is more of a three rather than A5,

defensively. -- a five. You can hear the screen pass the

contact was made. -- the scream as the contact was made.

It is an old goal! And Argentina are in friend in -- in front inside the

first few moments of the game. And own goal.

A good ball, no doubt about that. I thought for a minute there was a

flick from one of the Argentina players, that takes it on the

defender. The flick was from Rojo. Argentina

are in front already. If they did have any nerves, Martin, they should

be settled now, Argentina. The referee says that Messi filed

his man. -- committed a foul. Kolasinac chose to play for

Bosnia-Herzegovina once they qualified for this World Cup. He has

played for Germany. How well did Aguero do to get on

that ball? It was 50-50. He seemed to know where it was going

to land and got himself in front of the defender.

A chance for them to get some bodies up onto the edge of the Argentine

penalty area. They scored a lot of goals in qualifying, Bosnia, 13 in

ten qualifying games. Romero with the punch. Argentina

switched off momentarily at the back. They needed Romero.

It came off right regrowth. -- Rodriguez.

Pjanic has just signed a new contract with Roma.

It is going to be one of Bosnia's problems, getting enough support up

early to Dzeko. Argentina are saying it came off the head of Spahic, and

the referee agrees. Goal kick. Nigeria could be the key game when

we are looking to see who finishes second in the group.

No free kick but it is a throw. It was a foul.

It is a bit like if you can imagine Hamden Park being three quarters

full of England fans. A goal kick. Lulic did well to

recover. He was second favourite at one stage. A great season he had.

Great control. Romero comes out and makes the save.

Argentina rattled. Mascherano the aggressor.

Fantastic control from Hajrovic and Romero responding. A very awkward

height from Hajrovic. He did well. What a good thing that spray paint

is. Messi came on and scored in his

first ever World Cup finals game in 2006 against Serbia Montenegro. He

has played seven World Cup finals matches since then and has not

scored a goal, which seems beyond the realm of possibility. When Alex

Sabella came in, Messi starred playing behind the front two. --

started. Messi dispossessed again. Pjanic...

Edin Dzeko was waiting. Handball. Hajrovic. Some of the Argentinian

players asking for a yellow card. It is funny, Argentina are a leading

but they have not played. A real stroke of misfortune for Bosnia

about that goal. I don't think there is a great deal he could have done

about it. The flick of the header was the crucial thing.

The block and deflection favoured Spahic. His clearance has not done

the job. Messi... He could not find Di Maria. Lulic with the foul. Not

his first of the game. Bosnia have been good defensively. They are very

quick and not just to get one out, but two defenders out straight onto

the man on the ball. But in that case, Di Maria was dispossessed.

It is a great atmosphere, isn't it? Really exciting to be here. There is

a buzz of expectation in the air. So many people believe Argentina will

be back here at the Maracana at the end of this tournament. A good foray

forward from right back. A man down for Bosnia just outside

of the Argentinian penalty area. Alas a knack with the challenge on

Zabaleta. -- colour Assen natch. When they tackle, it is just meant.

German born. He is only 20. No stranger to a weight machine, I

would suspect. Is he the same guy who took up boxing? He may have

done. Lulic could not keep the ball in

play. Argentina have a throw. Dare I say it, Messi looks a bit sluggish.

So desperate to show what he is capable of on the big states. He

really did not show it in South Africa. -- big stage. No. But

Maradona was not the sanest of managers, was he? I think he is here

tonight! Good job I did not say anything about him! I remember

seeing Diego Maradona in 2006 when he was working for Argentine

television. Everywhere he went he was surrounded by about 30 minders.

The first three minutes weren't so good but the next 18 have been OK

for Bosnia. Defensively and in midfield they are very comparable.

It is just a case of whether they can get enough bodies forward.

Pjanic, the number eight, is the key. He sees a pass. You just take

your eye off the ball momentarily and you are not in control.

Argentina playing in their 15th World Cup finals. They did not

compete when Brazil last hosted it in 1950.

If the first Bosnian defender does not get you, the second one is in

really quickly. That was given away rather carelessly by Spahic. Back in

1950, both Argentina and Brazil had bid to host the World Cup of that

year. Brazil got it and Argentina didn't. So Argentina picked up their

ball and said they would not play. They did not come.

With all the build-up, it's actually a little bit dull. Safford Sioux

City is a bit of a legend in Bosnian football. One of their finest. --

Safet Susic. Di Maria may get a yellow card. He

is. Di Maria was protesting innocence on

the part of his team-mate. Free kick. Bosnia-Herzgovina. Marcos Rojo

booked. Dzeko is joined up there by Lukic --

Lulic and Spahic. You always get this before the first free kick. Not

bad. That could have gone anywhere. Argentina were fortunate to get that

way. Fernandez only have macro way. -- half.

There is an argument that Bosnia are playing better football than

Argentina at the moment. The two teams qualified for these final --

finals... Wales will be having a look at Bosnia because they are in

qualifying for euro 2016 with Bosnia. The Welsh.

They are not out of this, Mark, are they? The Argentinian manager is

going nuts on the line in front of us. Obviously Bosnia are not out of

it but just the way the game is, they are very much in it. Besic, the

number seven for Bosnia, is doing a great job on Lionel Messi. They

played in a friendly last year in St Louis. It was 2-0 to Manchester --

to Argentina but Messi did not play. I was talking to Begovic about it

before they came out here and he said it was only really late in the

game when they started making a lot of substitutions, and obviously

Argentina had the strongest squad, but there was really much of a

difference between the sides. In fact, for an hour, there was not too

much to choose between them. Lulic was offside. I think he knew

it. It was a good ball in again. A good decision.

I just feel, Steve, that Argentina are too slow at moving the ball.

They are allowing Bosnia to get back in position, stay on their feet. It

is all very easy. Bosnia's problem is that Argentina

are in front. Yes, but there is still plenty of time in the game to

deal with that. Maxi Rodriguez tried his luck. Yes,

I think he just had a little dink at the last minute. I will never forget

his goal against the Mexicans in the quarterfinals in 2006. The volley.

Didn't he score one with 30 odd passes as well? Yes, that was

against Serbia. They beat Mexico in extra time in Leipzig. You and me

were there, Mark. I remember but you don't seem to! It was a great goal!

from Begovic. Mascherano with the shot for Argentina. He scored

against Trinidad Tobago earlier this month, his first international goal

seven years. Lulic has his hands on his head,

thinking he might have had a pass from Dzeko.

Just tried to keep an eye on the orange boots at the top of your

picture. They belong to Rojo. They just can't get him in, can they?

Lulic got in front of his man, could not control it, but he did get in

front of Campagnaro. Dzeko is really the only one he is attempting to get

in behind Argentina. They have had a couple of good

moments, Bosnia. A clash of heads here. I think there

has only been one save, has there not? Yes, Romero made it. Begovic. I

thought Romero made it. Oh, yes, Mascherano's shot, that is right.

Ouch. Right in the cheekbone. Bicakcic and Aguero. He is OK and

Aguero is on his feet as well. It was right into his cheekbone. He is

tough. Yes, next World Cup football on the BBC is tomorrow 7:30pm,

Nigeria in this group, Group F. Against Iran. And then Ghana-USA.

It is mad, that rule. A clash of heads and they have got to go off.

Bosnia -for-4-2 in all the qualifiers. The first time they

tried this four - 3-1 was a friendly against Egypt, when they did not

play well at all. The coach, Susic, was heavily criticised for the

change but he stuck with it. Taken by Misimovic. Excellent save I

Romero to push the header from Lulic and round the post, and a flashing

header it was as well. Hard and low straight into Romero,

making a fairly comfortable save from Hajrovic. This one was very

good. He has found himself out of favour at Monaco, Romero. There have

been some suggestions that because he has not played a lot of football,

he might not be in the greatest shape to be the first choice in this

World Cup, but that was a good save. Argentina are not the best team we

have seen yet, on the evidence of this. Not at all.

Disappointing, and the raised arms of the coach tell you what he

thought of that effort. Waste. Argentina giving the ball away.

added time at the end of the half they will be. -- there will be. One

added minute. to bed, this, would it? I don't

know. Let's be optimistic. Messi is out there. Edin Dzeko is out there.

quality of their players. Very poor. The whistle goes. That is the end of

the first half. There is the unfortunate man, colour Assen natch

-- colour Assen neck. A bad start for Bosnia. They have matched

Argentina pretty much since then. Dzeko has not seen a lot of the

ball. Begovic has made a save from Mascherano.

Argentina lead at half-time. But it has not been very impressive? Very

disappointing. Probably the worst first-half until now. By the way,

whoever is not supporting Argentina in the Macca Rana, is sending bad

vibes too Messi. -- the Maracana. He gives the ball away easy. We expect

we watch a better game in the second half. I have watched a lot of messy.

I had a feeling he may be saving himself because his form has been

pretty poor. -- Messi. Covering a lot less ground in matches. But

looking at that I don't know if it is his confidence, if he is not

happy. He has a different player. We build him up before the game. And

Aguero and Di Maria. They have not had a kick. They have been terrible.

Argentina have been slow and ponderous. They have created

nothing. When you think of their forward power, they have not created

anything. But you have to give Bosnia credit for that. In fact,

they have been the better team. They are lucky to be behind. It is a

shame it happened so early on. They are playing one up front. I think if

they were a bit more adventurous, they could actually go and get

something out of this game. Without putting too much forward. If they

were able to get a bit more support in the Dzeko, I think there may get

more success. -- into Dzeko. Perhaps then you do not close down the key

Argentinian players. Eventually they have to let loose. They are a goal

down. I don't think they deserve to be a goal down. Messi looks

disinterested. It has been an aspect of his game for the last few months.

Bosnia done a great job, the midfield. Particularly deserts. I

think he has been excellent. There has been a flatness about Argentina.

-- Besic. They have a great centre forward who is making decent runs

but they cannot find him. Wouldn't you think their confidence would be

flying after that early goal? It has not happened at all. It was a

fortunate goal for them. Myself and Neal agree that the defender has two

when the ball. That is the only fault you can pick with it. That is

the problem they have. Spahic should win the ball. The defender cannot do

anything about it. That was unlucky. I agree. Marcos Rojo should score

the header. It is a poor header. It has been symptomatic of the game so

far. I suppose that was Messi's best moment of the first-half, a free

kick. Yes. I think the worst wafer Argentina to score is by set pieces.

The Argentinian attitude after the goal... Bosnia are not giving them

any time. Whenever he gets that ball, whether it's Pjanic or Besic,

they have handled them incredibly well. He normally finds a way to

wriggle past players like that. He does not seem to be the same as he

was before. Bosnia do brilliantly. The guy holds him up. The Messi of

old would have got a shot away. They just need to show a little bit more

ambition, Bosnia, and I think they will get something out of it. Bases

his run. Great run to get him away. But again, the way the defenders get

back. Don't give up on him. Don't give him a second on the ball. If he

beats one, he is running into another defender. It is probably the

only time he has shone bright as in his game tonight. He could not

really get the ball under control. Towards the end of the season just

finished, just before Christmas he was out with a few hamstring

problems, and ever since then he has never seemed to quite move the same.

I wonder if there is something not quite right? What I thought it's

probably his idea is more fresh. Maybe it takes so long to react. It

is not like Messi. It is very strange. Maybe he is feeling the

pressure on his back because everyone is saying that he is World

Cup. -- it is his World Cup. Maybe his adrenaline in the first game is

too high. Don't write him out yet. his adrenaline in the first game is

too high. Don't write him out yet. There is still 45 minutes to go. As

for Bosnia, they did not have too many opportunities but the best one

was the header from Lulic? Yes, a set piece. Always dangerous. Great

header, great save. If you get the first header in there was always a

great chance of scoring. We have seen that in the Champions League

final this year. I always liked people on the post. I do. Especially

when you give free headers away. A very good save. Group E got underway

earlier when France met Honduras. Switzerland played Ecuador in

Brasilia. They were watched by Dave Woods.

It is in! And Ecuador, in the shape of Valencia, the opening goal. His

fifth successive international goal. Nothing the goalkeeper could do to

keep that out. Just bounced away from him. Ecuador have the lead.

Rodriguez will take the corner kick. It is in! My word! What a thunderous

header! What an impact from the substitutes bench. He will tell you

it was planned all along. He has only been on the field for a matter

of two minutes. And he has scored the equalising goal.

The energy provided here by Antonio Valencia... He took too long. He

took too long. He allowed their Ramey to get him with a challenge.

The advantages to Switzerland. Maybe they have got the sucker punch.

They have got a winner! With less than 30 seconds to play! It is

another's subs -- super substitution for Switzerland. Swiss delight.

Winners by 2-1. He is a silly boy. He will have to

go. He goes in with a scything tackle. He has had another little

nibble at him and the young man has had enough. He sticks out at him.

There is a yellow card for Palacios. It is only a yellow.

Penalty! Red! Palacio is with the push. He is sent off. France, by

now, should be ahead. And they are. In the last minute of the

first-half, they get their just reward. And France lead Honduras by

a goal. Cleared away by Honduras. Did so

well in qualifying to finish third against the USA. Ben Zamalka! It has

stayed out. The goal-line technology has ruled it is in. It has gone in!

You have to trust the technology. Look at this again. We have seen so

many spurious replays. It signals no goal! No goal has come up on the

screen. The fans have heard it. The Honduras players have seen it. It is

a goal there. The ball was still in play, so offensively it is a goal.

Benzema! They have a third! Two for him. Good start for France. That was

France's biggest World Cup win for 16 years and it leaves them top of

Group E, level on points with Switzerland. They beat Ecuador.

We can pop back to the Mac -- Maracana and hear from Rio Ferdinand

and Mark Chapman. How have you seen the first-half? As a football fan,

bit disappointing. We have all come to see Messi and he has been out of

sorts. Good positions early on. Disappointed on that front. I

thought Bosnia, when they have had the ball, they have got to the final

third very well. When they have got there they have not put the ball

into Dzeko. If Messi has disappointed us, a Bosnian

midfielder has really impressed you. Rudi Garcia, the Roma coach, said if

the club tried to sell Pjanic he would chain himself to the stadium

gates. You can see why. He is so composed. He has been shielding the

back four. Worked his socks off. Shuffling from side to side to make

sure the ball does not go into Messi or greyer. They have the balls out

wide to the full-backs. That is they are out ball? Definitely. They know

when they are under a bit of pressure, they are getting to the

halfway line. Argentina aeroplane wing-backs. On the Argentine... The

centre halves have two take more responsibility? Yes, B3 centre

halves that Argentina have got have got a responsibility. Push

Mascherano up the pitch. Get him out of the way. Get the -- get the ball

to is higher up the pitch. You want to see Di Maria getting the ball.

You want him to run the back four. Allow space for the likes of Aguero.

You have done a midfielder running at you as well? Yes, he has a

fantastic season. He gets it in the midfield, turns at his first thought

is to run as a midfielder and ask questions at the back. The chanting

with -- was quite entertaining. The Argentines singing that Maradona

were better than Pellow. The Brazilians responded with five times

champions. That shut the Argentines up. What do you expect from the

second half? They better Argentina side? I think so. They know they

need to play better. Probably the manager will say something. Maybe

change the line-up. Put some more guys on the midfield. Di Maria,

Messi... They need to do something. But this change formation has not

really worked. Site no, because of the weight Bosnia has approached it

and they are them down. There will come a time in the second half when

the coach is going to have to say, I am going to have to throw another

attacker on here. They have it be so rich. I think the Bosnian coach will

be happy. -- they have Sony in breach. Considering the dreadful

start, the midfield boys have done very well. Getting support has been

a problem and that needs to change. Argentina it will be in their

getting a bit of a pasting from the coach. The passing and movement have

been poor. One of the centre halves has to take responsibility, step

into midfield. I have got to start to move the ball quicker. Whether

they change the formation is another thing. A couple of substitutions.

Not particularly happy with the first half performance. There is a

grain. -- let's rejoin our commentators.

Maxi Rodriguez is taken off and it gave me comes on. Campagnaro has

gone off. So it is four on the back, with Campagnaro being the

extra defender. The Bosnians are on the front foot from the kick-off.

They have not made any changes. A corner. Won quickly there.

The coach has decided it is not working and it is not good enough.

Argentina call for offside and they get offside. Lulic. There is Gago.

The midfielder. Never really made it at Real Madrid, in all honesty. And

it gave has great experienced -- Gonzalo Higuain has great experience

at Napoli. This is the man who was unfortunate

to score that own goal three minutes into the game, Kolasinac putting

Argentina in front with an own goal. Smacked away for an Argentina throw

by ermine Bicakcic. Change of formation and personnel,

whatever, is one thing, but there seems to be slightly more pace about

the Argentina 's as well. Yes. A free kick. Well, Fernandez is

protesting his innocence there. I think he got the ball but the

referee says it came through the back of the player. Daft, really,

because where would Dzeko go with it? This will be interesting.

Pjanic is walking away from this. Is it Hajrovic? To take this free kick

for Bosnia-Herzegovina. The referee warning that wall to keep their arms

down. Hajrovic. Straightforward save.

Although Romero was on his toes. Gonzalo Higuain scored nine goals to

Messi's ten in the qualifying for this World Cup.

Just too much pace on matter. -- on fact.

ball as he would like. Perhaps you have to make a sacrifice for the

team as a whole, but Dzeko and Ibisevic are a threat together. I

think Bosnia will make a change. That is one way of clearing the

ball. Not necessarily be easy used way. He will have looked at that.

Flicked it against the back of his leg.

I thought he was fouled. Zabaleta is tough as old boots.

This is the farm now. Yes. Kolasinac was trying to get across him. It is

what happened next. This is the foul now.

Susic is known as a coach who takes risks, generally. Coach who loves to

attack. Hajrovic straight into the midriff

of Romero. I would like to see them go a bit more direct. It is a bit of

a slalom run. Goalkick. He claims a corner. Just

spilled it. Di Maria started it off as well.

Should it not have been a corner? No.

Bosnia have had more efforts at goal than Argentina in this game so far.

That is still the scoreline, since that very early own goal by

Kolasinac. Di Maria, first into box and met

dangerously by Spahic. Piece likely got in his way at the

end. He slightly got in his way at the end.

Before Bosnia had been officially recognised as a country by fee for,

-- by FIFA, they played and unofficial match against Iran in

Teheran. The angle that we are watching from,

I thought that Fernandez was going to score the second goal of the

game. Claiming a handball on Mascherano. I

do not think it was. A great ball in.

What a waste in the end. Under no pressure whatsoever.

There is no pressure on him. He had plenty of time to look up and pick

his spot. The deflection almost took it into

the path of Messi. It was a clever pass. Extremely well disguised. It

caught everybody off-guard. A lot of these players based in

Germany. Bigger chick will be at Hoffenheim next season. -- the

Cekic. That was well bred. Not sure whether

to go forward or back. The worst idea was to give it to Messi.

Begovic is there. Too close to the keeper. The game is stretching.

The shot was rising always over the bar. He did not play any part in

qualifying for this World Cup. Berlin born and Bosnia's youngest

ever international. He has broken into the team since they qualified.

And he looks the part, Besic. He has had an outstanding game and his mate

alongside him as well. The blue shirts forage forward

again. Dzeko is offside. Edin Dzeko scored their winner

against Ivory Coast in one of their warm up matches. They had some good

results before they came out here. They beat Ivory Coast and Mexico in

the last couple of friendlies. Di Maria is operating further

forward. That is a free kick. Clever Aguero. Just managed to get enough

of his body in front of the man. There is a yellow card here for

Spahic. He holds his hands up in acknowledgement that it is probably

a right decision. It was certainly the right decision. I think you will

be delighted with only a yellow. -- he will be delighted.

That is a long ten yards. You would not want him to measure the room up

for a carpet, would you? ! The referee has obviously got a very

long stride. Here is Messi for Argentina. Leading by 1-0. Messi

over the wall, over the bar. The story of his night. Never threatened

to get anywhere near the goal. Not at all.

Some of those Argentine supporters looking a bit nervous. Yes, in a

state of flux. Change is coming for Bosnia. Let's see who it is.

Argentina have made two substitutions, of course. Messi!

That is what they came for! , train and automobile, 50,000 Argentines

who found their way to real. You would argue he is the only person on

the pitch could have created and taken that golfer himself. He just

seems to have a little bit of extra zip in his stride. It is a fantastic

finish. This was Lionel Messi at something like his best again. His

last torch, he takes it away from goal again. -- touch. You don't save

those. He knew exactly what he was going to do with it. You never even

looks at the goalkeeper. You do not see his eyes move at all that any

states. -- at any stage. Lionel Messi scores for Argentina to double

their lead, just as the Bosnia-Herzgovina coaches telling

his other main striker, I'd say which -- it beat Simic, to get

himself ready. That is Messi's 39th international

goal. There were only Bosnian spike in the danger zone. Mascherano back

in. These are dangerous moments for Bosnia-Herzgovina. Suddenly

Argentina looked a different prospect. They have been ignited by

the goal. At 1-0 you would not have ruled out

the possibility of Bosnia getting back into this game. It is hard now.

Lionel Messi's first World Cup final goal since 2006, eight years ago

tomorrow. Visca is also going to come on. It will be a double change

for Bosnia-Herzgovina. Not a blue shirt within 30 yards of

Edin Dzeko. He did well to win a corner.

With the corner, the substitution is made. The right back is coming off.

Mujdza coming off. Ibisevic coming on.

Here is the goal again. At no stage did he look. Defenders tumbling like

dominoes around him. He has just had a little bit more

room to work with, with the extra player upfront.

They are just starting, Argentina, to look like the team we thought we

would see from the first minute. It has taken a while but they are now

beginning to look like a proper good football team. Yes, just starting to

showcase their skills. Hajrovic is coming off so that Edin Visca can

come on. He is also a wide player. He plays in Turkey. He plays for

Istanbul. That whistled through them all. The man who was nearest to get

the torch was Fernandez. -- touch. They are really enjoying themselves

now, the Argentine fans. Di Maria the Marcos Rojo. -- to.

We have seen a few of these. Great ball, actually.

Medunjanin is going to, and shortly for Bosnia-Herzgovina. The last

change. He is a defensive midfielder. -- Mendon Jane is coming

on. There could be opportunities here.

The substitution is about to happen. Ibisevic is the player taken off.

Messi thinks what to do with this free kick. Mejia Jeanine -- maiden

Jeanine about to come on. -- Haris Medunjanin. Who do Argentina play

next? Against Iran. Di Maria reached that but unable to

keep the ball in. Easy for them now. It is a different game, it really

is. Quite a difference, that goal has made. It has lifted not only

Messi but everybody around him. When you bring an extra arm, it is a

statement of intent, isn't it? -- an extra bowl in.

he has had to wait a long time for. I think that ball was out way

before. I think the referee was enjoying watching the little tussle.

A couple of yards wide of Begovic's post.

That was not the best bit. They cut the best bit out.

Bicakcic is now playing right back, since the substitutions.

Nearly. He was onside. The first fixture is always difficult, isn't

it? All you can do, basically, is win it.

He has certainly become a different player in the last ten or 15

minutes. He is the Messi we know. Higuain had a good World Cup four

years ago, in South Africa. Can't see a way back into this for

Susic and his side now. It was always going to be their most

difficult test, to play Argentina in the opening game. I quite fancy

them, Mark, if it does come down to Argentina beating everybody and

everybody beating Iran, it will come down to who prevails between

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria. I certainly think they have a chance

of winning that. Yes. Foul on Dzeko, who has largely had

to live off scraps, really. Bosnia have lost their way a bit

now. Made in Jenin won the U21

Championship with the Netherlands. -- Haris Medunjanin. Then he

switched to the country of his parentage.

How quickly did he get from one end to the other? Well, if you are three

on three, they are three you do not want to be up against, aren't they?

Spahic did well. It has been an occasion of great

significance for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Not the result they dreamt of but

probably the one they would have expected. It is a country recovering

from some awful flooding earlier this year. The worst for over a

century. And it has crept in! Ibisevic with

the goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina. And that is a moment in their history!

First ever goal in a major final. Great ball in, as well.

A lovely run from the. -- from Ibisevic. And there are six minutes

to play. Argentinian substitution, I think.

Yes, Biglia is waiting to come on. Ibisevic has written his name into

the annals of sporting history in his country. And he has given them a

glimmer, here. The noise now is being made in

Bosnia's favour, by a combination of their fans and Brazilians.

Aguero coming off. His race is run. The Lazio player comes on. He is

often used in exactly this situation, to come on and hold onto

they have. Just too close the game off. Aguero is going as slowly as he

possibly can. He does not inclined to get up at

the moment. -- seem inclined to get up.

That was borderline yellow card. He got away with that.

Less than two minutes of normal time to play. The first thing Bosnia need

is the ball. Easier said than done. Edin Dzeko could not take that in

his stride. Higuain getting forward. Messi at the back post. The defender

makes the block. Just about time. Just about time.

Three added minutes. Yes. They have the gamble, don't they? Argentina

have recent history of conceding late goals. That will be weighing

heavily on their mind. Naturally they are not in a great

hurry to take it. Just hoping for one last half

chance. Hoping it will fall to Edin Dzeko or the beast of it. -- BBC

rich. Good tackle by Spahic. Here they

come. Five in this attack. They deem... Messi. Side netting. He

defended it well. Forced him onto his left and forced him onto his

right. They are having a laugh between them as well. 55 seconds

remaining. Not much more than that. The first half was very

disappointing. The second half has been much better. Is there a sting

in the tail? He turns away, put his head in his hands. That is probably

that. The managers in the middle of a square up as well. What a waste. I

think the reporter Argentina if they win is, must do better. They have

done a lot of things denied. -- poorly tonight.

And that will seal Argentina's victory. Lionel Messi got the girl

he wanted. He doubled the lead. -- got the goal he wanted. An historic

goal for Bosnia-Herzgovina. But Messi and Argentina have the victory

they wanted, the victory they respected -- expected. They have won

their opening game at this 2014 World Cup. They will now go on to

take Iran. Bosnia will play Nigeria. That could be very significant.

Argentina win by 2-1. That livened up. Well played all of you who

resisted the urge to go to bed when you got players like Messi on the

page, you never know whether you may miss something special. And wasn't

it special? Struggle for a while, Alan, to find his game. Thought

maybe the occasion was too much in the first half. But boy, that was

the Messi we have learned to know and love. We all highlighted him at

half-time, felt he lacked have five yard. Whether the manager has given

him a pint of confidence at half-time, that is what it looked

like. That is where a manager earns his money. Sabella looked at that in

the first Avanti thought, the five at the back is not working. He took

one of the centre halves of and he brought Eugene on. -- Higuain.

Eventually it opened up. Messi's have a yard that we thought was

lacking Eventually it opened up. Messi's

have a yard that we thought was lacking in the first half, came back

in the second half. He was more like the player we know. The change

helped the team and won them the game. Much more entertaining in the

second half? It was better. Messi got his goal, his best way. But to

be honest, it was not a good test for Argentina. I think they need to

perform better if they want to go on. It was a good second half.

Argentina get some movement. I was disappointed about Di Maria. I

expect more from Di Maria. If Di Maria played well, maybe Messi and

Aguero can play better, too. We'll see next games. If you get a

performance like that as a manager, you make the changes at half-time

and your team is better in the second half, is that a mistake for

the way you lined up at the start or is it brilliant management for

changing it at half-time? It is good management. He admits he got it

wrong. He is telling the public and the players he got it wrong. Let's

see if we can improve. It was night and day. It was a lot better. There

was a spark and an urgency, and Aguero had a partner to work with.

Mark was right. Once he played the one, two, and got the ball back, he

got that little surge that was lacking in the first half. We said

what was missing in the first-half was urgency. That was missing. I

still think they can improve. It was better in the second half. It was a

magical goal. We have seen him score goals like that so many times. That

was him at his best? It was brilliant. The way he picked the

ball up, the pace, the penetration through the back four. That, and the

finish, after running away you have come from, to still have the energy

and precision to put it where he did, when defenders are coming in

for him, just genius. Brilliant. Great skill. Maybe other players get

the shot before he delivers the last one. He knew what he was doing. In

that moment may be other players could have a shot. But he is

fantastic. His ability is fantastic. You just see players falling over

themselves to get after him. You can see how much it means to him. He was

under pressure. He had to perform and he has to perform in this World

Cup. He was flat in the first half. The change has helped enormously. If

you want to -- you want to look at the goal from a different

perspective? Hull I do. The manager brought another forward on. He has

got Higuain and Aguero ahead of him. That space never occurred in the

first half because he always had a couple of players around him. With

two players up front, he has the space he can run into. They are not

just fighting and Aguero, they are fighting Aguero and Higuain. That

gives Messi the space. If he does that, he will punish you. The

manager deserves great credit for the change. It was a change that was

necessary but it seems strange that he played that way in the first half

because that way has been so successful for them? Exactly. Even

against Bosnia. They were expected to attack all the time. Don't have

to worry about the defence. I think it proves that. And maybe in the

second game he will stand with the team in the second half. I doubt we

will see that system again. It certainly was pretty flat and it did

not suit the better players in the Argentinian team. You have to pay

credit to suit each as well. -- Safet Susic. The signs came quickly

in the second half that this was suiting Argentina better? They were

on the front foot. One touch, two tortures. When good players are

playing at this pace, it is difficult to live with them. Instead

of the four tortures they had in the first-half, it is now in there. The

passing and movement was better. They have more options going

forward. Very rare poor finish from him. He must know you have if you

quit on him! Allen is spot on. The movement and illustration was

better. -- penetration. When you play quickly, the spaces will

appear. That is what Argentina did in the second half. Gago's

performance from the start of the ball was important. Giving a clear

boil for Messi and Aguero. I think Gago makes a little bit the

difference in the second half. The key in these clips is every time

Messi has the ball he has got three or four players ahead of him. He

never had those options in the first-half. And that is what created

the space. He has Aguero running off him, Higuain running off. If they

are not doing it, he has got Di Maria. That creates the space for

Messi. And that is why he was a hell of a lot better in the second half

than he was in the first-half. Iterative decision by Sabella to

bring the real Messi on a half-time! It is a joy to watch him play in

full flow. It is only him who can score the kinds of goals. He is like

a big kid on the playground at times. The system they started

within the first-half has worked for them. They went and qualified in

Colombia. They played Chile home and away and beat them. Do they work

better as a counterattacking team? Absolutely. It is the first game of

the competition. He is feeling it. Bosnia scored their first ever World

Cup goal. He didn't have a choice, the culture. They were chasing the

game. He brought Dzeko's strike partner run. It is a good finish. It

is a good run. I think the goalkeeper should do better. Up

until then Argentina were comfortable, but the psychology of

the game scored as soon as Bosnia scored.

What were your thoughts on Bosnia-Herzegovina as a side?

Became to have fun. They knew the game was going to become placated

for them. During the game, I think they expected it to be more

difficult than they found. But it was not a good test for Argentina. I

suppose the start didn't really happen, did it? It was always going

to be difficult after conceding an own goal in the first two minutes

you concede in a World Cup finals. You would hope to get off to a

better start. They should win the first header there, they do not. It

is unlikely but they recovered well after that. -- it is unlucky.

Without being too much of a threat, it would have been easy for them to

put their heads down, to be disappointed, but they held their

own in the first half. But there was not a lot going forward from them.

We showed one or two clips at half-time but they were not really a

threat. They were more concerned about stopping Messi but they held

them well. We will hand over to Rio and Mark in a second but first we

have some news in of further demonstrations. Police have used

tear gas to block a march by about 200 protesters heading towards the

Maracana tonight. A stand-off concede with demonstrators are

massing near a police line regarding the route to the stadium. Before we

go to Rio Thomas Juninho, your thoughts on the protests and why

this is happening. Do these people have a point? Yes, but I do not

agree with the protesting in the World Cup. They should do the

protest before that. They have to separate the World Cup, what the

Government expect. So everyone knows that should be less spending than we

are, with the building. It is a lot of public money invested rather than

invested in other areas. Everyone knows that, but I think that the

protesters should protest in the right way, against the Government,

not in the World Cup. Let's go back to the Maracana and joint Mark

Chapman with RIO FERDINAND:. We were sat there and there was a

real sense of disappointment through the stadium. They wanted to see

Messi produce. He came and produced in the second half. That is why you

come to the World Cup, to see something like that. You said to me,

you come to the World Cup for skills. It was not just that. There

were a couple more skills by the Argentines. Yes, he scored that goal

and he came to life. He put his foot on the accelerator and went past

people. He could have had maybe one or two more. For ten or 15 minutes

he seemed to take the wind out of the Bosnians. You have been in that

situation where it is quiet and quiet and one moment takes the game

away. Yes, I have been there. The Bosnians would have felt

comfortable. He looks out of sorts. Then all of a sudden, banged. He

turned it on, the game has changed. The game is better at that point.

Messi was the defining factor in the game. A quick word. Pjanic. You

would expect them to have enough to get past Nigeria and Iran. Yes, they

have a good chance. They were very composed especially in the first

half. I think they have got to have a little bit more fight upfront. Get

the ball to the front man. Dzeko did not get much of the ball today. Give

him more opportunities. But you got what he wanted. You saw Messi score

in the Maracana. Yes, that is what I wanted to see.

He will be laughing at us later as well. I would have liked to have

been there. Tomorrow Germany get started against Portugal. That means

Ronaldo. We look forward to seeing those

dancing feet tomorrow. We have seen Messi, it is Ronaldo's turn. I think

it would have enjoyed Messi's first half performance more than his

second. I bet he has been watching that tonight thinking that Messi has

done the business, now he has to. That is the good thing about the

World Cup, the majority of the big hitters have got off to a good

start. Van Percy, Bollettieri... He has not been in the best of health.

He has had tendinitis. He's not 100% fit. But footballers rarely are. He

has had a wonderful season. I think she deserves to be World Player of

the Year. He has a tough test tomorrow. Portugal are a good side,

though. But they will have to do well against stiff opposition

tomorrow. Are you a reminder man or a Messi man? In terms of the best

player in the world? At the moment Ronaldo deserves it. Both are great.

Tomorrow I think that Germany is a better team than Portugal, but when

you have Ronaldo on the other side, you have to be careful. Next live

game features the other two teams in Group F. Nigeria and Iran, live on

BBC One from 7:30pm tomorrow. That is followed at 10:40pm by another

African side when Ghana face the USA. Interesting games tomorrow. Two

African sides. What we have seen is that it is so important, as we know,

not to lose that first game. That is what they will be thinking tomorrow.

A tough group. Thank you, gentlemen. Messi still might be the footballing

messiah. For a while tonight he was just a very naughty boy. Good night.

COMMENTATOR: The last time this stadium has seen a World Cup finals

match there were 200,000 people inside. It has never before seen

Lionel Messi. An own goal! And Argentina are in front! He looks a

bit sluggish. The story of his night. Messi takes it up again. And

he dances away. And he scores! Lionel Messi! Ibisevic is behind

here and it has crept in! And that is a moment in their history.