World Cup 2014 Brazil » Group F » Live commentary: Argentina - Bosnia-Herzegovina 2:1

Endgame Summary:

A thoroughly enjoyable game of football! Messi found his way onto the score sheet after Bosnia-Herzegovina made Alejandro Sabella's side work for everything they got. Both Vedad Ibišević and Izet Hajrović played well for their country and will have to do more going forward if they wish to see their World Cup dreams continue. For the Argentines, their brilliant playmaker continued to live up to his reputation. Despite his struggles to score in the World Cup, Messi took his strike cooly and could have scored on a couple other opportunities. The final score may not show how much effort the Bosnians put into a match they might believe they deserved to win. What a conclusion to the final match of the weekend! Until next time!

A scary moment for Messi as he rolls his ankle on the turf. He manages to continue playing but the collective football world gasped for a minute.

Now the crowd has come back to life! Perhaps they want a second score for the underdogs!

Bosnia had a couple chances but a deflection turns into an Argentina counter. Messi's effort in front of goal is turned away before he can get his foot to it but the home side settle with a short corner.

The game has taken a rather slow turn. Argentina are more than comfortable slowing down their pace and their opponents seem resigned in the result.

Despite being broken twice, Bosnia-Herzegovina still look comfortable defending. They have to be very careful with possession now that their opponents look to be in attack mode.

Hajrović strikes towards goal. Unfortunately his shot is far wide and the favorites are still comfortable sitting on their lead.

A much needed goal by Messi and now Argentina are comfortably ahead.

Messi doesn't quite get the penalty right and lifts it well above the wall and the goal.

Messi has created yet another chance. After Hajrović lost the ball, Messi delivered a pass in to his teammate Agüero but Begović does well to dive in front of the shot and allay any fears of being down two.

Just like in the first half, it looks like Argentina have finally picked up the pace. They are much more decisive in their runs and both Agüero and Messi have made dangerous runs at the back line.

Another effort from Hajrović. Once again Romero can get behind the shot and takes his time gathering it into his chest. Bosnia will need a better effort than that to equalize.

Džeko just misses Misimović along the left flank, but after another Argentina mistake, Bosnia are back on possession. This has been avery shaky start.

After a questionable challenge, Bosnia have a great chance in front of goal from about 25 yards out. Hajrović prepares to take the effort.

Argentina have conceded an early corner after a quick attack by Bosnia-Herzegovina. A long range effort is easily deflected by the wall. They prepare the build up from the back.

Back underway in Rio!

A little bit of Messi magic as he weaves through defenders at will in the penalty box. He tries to pick out the perfect pass to Agüero sitting in front of the net but his pass is picked out well.

The Lulić header was perhaps the best chance of the night! Bosnia-Herzegovina have played well with Argentina thus far.

Bosnia try to create something off the counter but the Argentina back line has done well all night to ensure that their opponents don't get level.

Despite Argentina's increased aggression, the Golden Lillies have done well to keep their composure. They look live they've faced this kind of World Cup adversity ten times over.

This time Mascherano takes a swing! Begović does well to put himself in front of the strike but can only clear it as far as Argentina's second line. Now the Argentine midfield looks more interested in the match!

Argentina are indeed winning the match, but their offense has looked rather stagnant. So far, Bosnia has done a great job keeping their opponent's changes scarce.

Marcos Rojo (Argentina) is shown a yellow card
Yet another whistle and this time Marcos Rojo sees yellow for his challenge on Mensur Mujdžal. It's been a relatively clean match so far.

The crown has remained relatively passive during the first half of the opening period. They seem to be simply waiting for some sort of inspired play from either side after the early score.

So far Messi has been well contained by his opponents back line but now Argentina seem to have put it in gear. Di Maria is brought down by Senad Lulić along the right flank.

Pjanić can only hit the wall with the free kick but his side are still building. They have done well to keep tempo and control of the match despite being behind. Argentina seem content sitting back for the moment.

There's been very little action for either side since the own goal. Zebeleta receives a pass from Messi over the defense but can't corral it in the penalty area and relinquishes control of the ball to his opponents

Despite the early concession, the Golden Lillies seem to have settled themselves into the match and look comfortable in the midfield. Whether they have enough in them to overcome the goal is left to be seen.

Almost a second goal for the favored side. Messi's corner just misses the shin of Agüero and the much-aligned underdogs regain possession making their way towards the opposition's half. They have a free kick from about thirty yards out and Argentina concede a corner.

That changes the tempo of the the match. Messi shows off some excellent footwork before picking up a foul. There are so many attacking weapons from Argentina, however, and they are back on the ball.

An early foul by Mujdža on Agüero. Argentina have an early set piece from the left flank.

And the final match of the day is underway!

The two sides with very different football histories are ready to kick off on the pitch. Joel Aguilar and his Salvadoran crew will officiate and we're just about underway in Rio de Janero!

Perhaps with so much focus given to Messi during the night, a lot will be on Ángel Di María and Kun Agüero. They will set the pace for La Albiceleste and try to press their opponent's back line. But Bosnia-Herzegovina, making their World Cup debut, will do their best to add to Argentina's recent woes against European clubs. In their last nine games, they have drawn four times and lost three. But the previous two match ups have been won by the Argentines.

Argentina come into tonight's match with, arguably, the world's best footballer as their number 10. Lionel Messi has the pace and skill to make his mark on any match and can expect to hear his name called often. Emir Spahić will most likely be tasked with taking on the speedy striker. He will have his hands full and history has favored Messi in the matchup when he scored against Spahić when he played for Sevilla.