Lionel Messi shook the monkey off his back with his first World Cup goal in eight years as Argentina defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 in a Group F game as World Cup football returned to the Maracana in Rio on Sunday night.
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Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina's best footballer since Diego Maradona graced the 1986 tournament, put his side 2-0 ahead on a night when the stadium was turned into little Buenos Aires by tens of thousands of his countrymen.
Although they took the lead in the third minute when Sead Kolasinac netted the fastest own goal in World Cup history, Argentina looked unconvincing until Messi struck with a dazzling run and sweet left-foot shot that went in off the post in the 65th minute after a one-two with substitute Gonzalo Higuain.
It was Messi's first goal in the finals since scoring in Argentina's 6-0 win over Serbia & Montenegro almost eight years ago to the day.
Even then they could not afford to relax as substitute Vedad Ibisevic scored in the 85th minute for Bosnia to set up a thrilling finale