On day 14…
WAS YESTERDAY THE day we’ll look back on and say that’s when the 2014 World Cup became Lionel Messi’s tournament?
The Argentinian maestro bagged a brace as his side topped Group F with a 3-2 win over Nigeria.
Messi grabbed his first goal in the opening seconds of the game before finding the net for the second time just before half-time to send his side into the break with the lead.
However, the Super Eagles can’t be too disappointed as they’ll join Argentina in the round of 16 despite the loss.
In the group’s other game, Bosnia and Herzegovina finally got their reward for some decent performances at their first World Cup with a 3-1 win over Iran.
Edin Džeko and Miralem Pjanić killed off Iran’s faint dreams of making the last 16.
Reza Ghoochannejad did give Iran late hope of a fightback with their only goal of the tournament on 82 minutes but Bosnia immediately added their third through Avdija Vršajević.
How Safet Sušić must wonder what would have been had that goal against Nigeria been allowed to stand.
In the day’s late games, Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri scored the 50th hat-trick in World Cup history as his side beat Honduras 3-0 to qualify as runners up in Group E.
It was sweet revenge for the Swiss as, four years ago, the Central Americans had denied them a place in the knockout rounds after a 0-0 draw but two first half goals from the impressive Shaqiri put Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men in complete control.
The win sets up a date between the Alpine Messi and the real one.
Switzerland reach the round of 16 at the expense of Ecuador who failed to create anything in the way of a clear-cut chance against a surprisingly underwhelming French side in the Maracana last night.
The big talking point will be the sending off of Antonio Valencia but the Ecuadorians looked as unlikely to find the goals they needed with him on the pitch as they were when he was sent to the stands.
Winner
There aren’t many teams that would be able to rebound from the hiding Switzerland took against France and it shows that there’s a mental toughness to Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side that they’ll need to rely on if they’re to progress any further.
Of course, coming up against Argentina – especially with the form Messi looks to be finding – will be no easy task. However, they proved tonight they have goals in them and look a much better side than the Nigerian one that ran the South American’s so close yesterday afternoon.
Loser
It probably seems weird to include them here seeing as they won 3-1 yesterday but you can’t help think that Bosnia and Herzegovina have under-performed at this tournament; the win over a dogged Iran highlighting just how good they can be.
Notable mentions for Alberto Zaccheroni (Japan), Carlos Quieroz (Iran) and Sabri Lamouchi (Côte d’Ivoire) all of whom will be looking for new jobs after yesterday.
Joga Bonito
Messi’s second goal was alright, but you’d have to ask what the ‘keeper was doing. This effort, the first of Xherdan Shaqiri’s hat-trick of goals, was something very special though.
http://vine.co/v/MtD1HpL7dmJ
What we’ve got to look forward to today
It’s time to wrap up Group G and H, so that means we’ll have to choose between the late-drama prone USA and Germany (with a draw enough to qualify both sides) or Portugal and Ghana in the 5pm kick-offs.
The late (9pm) will pit Group H leaders Belgium attempt to keep their perfect record at the 2014 World Cup in tact as they face Korea knowing a point will guarantee them top spot in the group.
A draw will do Algeria against Russia unless the bottom side, Korea, pull off a big win over the Red Devils.
