World Cup results, Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina: Own goal buries Bosnia
By Mike Dyce
On Sunday at the 2014 World Cup, a Group F match up between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina closed out the day. It was a South American heavyweight and a favorite to win the whole tournament in Argentina against a scrappy under dog team from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
More from World Cup
- USMNT news: Berhalter announced, Adams to Villa, Pepi to PSV
- USMNT news: 3 managers Americans should have hired instead of Gregg Berhalter
- USMNT news: Berhalter returns, Balogun to Inter, Altidore to Greece
- USMNT news: Vieira next head coach, Adams to Liverpool, Cowell to Europe
- USMNT news: Pepi to PSV, Richardson to the US, Brooks safe
As the underdog they might need a bit of luck to steal a win or any points from Argentina, but it looked like luck would be against them right from the jump. In just the third minute of the game, Bosnia-Herzegovina are already down by a goal and to make matters worse it was an own goal.
A cross from superstar Lionel Messi made it through the box untouched, and that was a bit surprising. Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Sead Kolasinac certainly was caught off guard by it and the turned away from the goal expecting it to be headed out away from the goal.
The ball instead went through and hit the leg of the unsuspecting Kolasinac, redirecting and bouncing into the goal. A remarkable stroke of bad luck.
Fortunately, Bosnia-Herzegovina was able to weather the storm and keep their composure and take the 1-0 scoreline into the break.
It was only a matter of time before the Argentinian attack got through, with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Ángel Di María leading the way. Argentina substituted on Gonzalo Higuaín to add another offensive weapon to their arsenal.
Ultimately it was Messi who got the goal for Argentina and extending their lead. Off a little give and go with Higuaín, Messi carried the ball into the middle of the field at the edge of the 18-yard box. He got the shot off and it nearly missed the goal hitting the post before bouncing in. Another couple of centimeters to the left and the ball would’ve gone the other direction.
It certainly looked like luck had struck again in favor of Argentina. Bosnia-Herzegovina wasn’t ready to give up yet and leave the game with a minus-two goal differntial. They could still beat Iran and Nigeria and advance but that goal differential could come back to bite them later down the line.
Argentina might have gotten a little bit comfortable, because Bosnia and Herzegovina weren’t quite done yet. In the 84th minute Vedad Ibisevic was able to beat an Argentinian defender to a through ball, get into the box and put one through the legs of Argentinian goal keeper. It made the score line better, but that first own goal proved to be the difference.
The rest of the schedule for Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina:
Saturday, June 21
Argentina vs. Iran, 11:30 a.m. ET (ESPN)
Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Wednesday, June 25
Nigeria vs. Argentina, 11:30 a.m. ET (ESPN)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran, 11:30 a.m. ET (ESPN2)
GIFs and videos are from @FanSidedGIF and either Mike Dyce or Zombie Prophet, make sure to follow those accounts for the latest in GIFs and videos from FanSided.