Messi makes the difference as Argentina beat Bosnia 2-1

John Bagratuni, dpa 

Lionel Messi was not glorious but made the difference as contenders Argentina started their World Cup campaign 2-1 over brave tournament novices Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday.

The four-time World Footballer of the Year set up the first, an own-goal from Sead Kolasinac, in the third minute scored the second himself from the edge of the area in the 65th in the group F game. Substitute Vedad Ibisevic got a late consolation goal.

Argentina fans among the 74,738 celebrated the victory at the Maracana wildly, but Alejandro Sabella's team will need a major improvement if they want to return to the iconic arena for the July 13 final.

The Barcelona star Messi was not at his best despite the goal and Argentina's game too static, especially in the first half.

Bosnia were not intimidated despite the early unlucky deficit and showed on several occasions why they had become the 77th team to compete at the World Cup. Despite the defeat they can still make the last 16 if they beat Iran and Nigeria in the other games.

Argentina controlled the ball from the kick-off and Bosnia had hardly touched it before they fell behind. Messi swung a free-kick into the area from the left wing, Marcos Rojo headed it on right against the foot of the surprised Kolasinac from where it bounced into the net.

It was the third own goal in now 11 games played, one more than in all 64 games in 2010, and a nightmare start into Bosnia's World Cup debut.

However, the Europeans quickly regrouped and almost snatched a 12th-minute equalizer in the 12th. Miralem Pjanic lobbed the ball over the Argentina defence into the path of Izet Hajrovic, but he failed to properly control the ball and managed only a tame shot at goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

Midfield action then dominated with Argentina's 5-3-2 system slightly dominating possession against the Bosnian 4-2-3-1 but too conservative and static, relying solely on the captain Messi.

Bosnia became more and more adventurous as Manchester City's Edin Dzeko aimed high in the 35th and Romero needed a quick dive to his left to palm away a dangerous header from Senad Lulic as the Bosnians' confidence grew by the minute.

Sabella had seen enough at half-time and reverted to 4-3-3 for more firepower with substitures Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain for Maxi Rodriguez and Hugo Campagnaro - Napoli's Higuain joining Messi and City's Sergio Aguero up front.

The move made an impact as the Albiceleste's became more lively, with Aguero misfiring in the 55th after being set up nicely by Messi.

Ten minutes later Messi had his moment of glory. Argentina won the ball in midfield, it fell to Messi who played a one-two with Higuain, beat two defenders going left at the edge of the area and fired home in off the left post.

That seemed to settled the affair and Bosnia captain Emir Spahic barely denied Messi a hat-trick by clearing in front of him late in the game.

"Messi, Messi" chants echoed around the vast stadium but Stuttgart's Ibisevic, who came on in the 69th, silenced the crowd in the 85th minute from a left angle before Argentina could celebrate for good.