FIFA World Cup 2014 Day 10 Roundup: Messi bails out Argentina, Ghana gives Germany a scare, Bosnia and Herzegovina sent packing

Nobody is safe, and if you are a betting man this might be your biggest nightmare coming true. Try and find out the dynamics of what defines this tournament and each day you will come back with a headache. Each day seeds a new surprise, a new dynamic and day 10 was no different.

A stunning 2-2 draw, a last minute winner, controversies and witness to history being created. How is that for entertainment?

Messi comes to the party really late.. I mean really late!

Lionel Messi of Argentina is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Iran at Estadio Mineirao on June 21, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

That was a penalty. But they don’t care. At least we now know the referee’s name for the game. Milorad Maži? might never have to pay for a meal ever again if he visits Argentina.

Iran was the latest country to line-up at the “lets humiliate the big dogs” counter for the tournament. But, when they got to the counter, the vendor refused to oblige.

Football can be cruel and so it turned out for the middle-east nation. The penalty spot was what everyone was expecting the referee to point to after Askhan Dejagah was hacked down by Pablo Zabaleta, but Maži? somehow decided, it was not worth it.

None of the Argentines would say they needed it. But they did.

Everyone in Argentina was expecting to have a great party at their backyards. The Iranians for them had come to this game just for the Argentines to showcase their superiority. Nobody thought Iran can be the spoiler. How can they?

But they actually did. And they nearly pulled it off.

If not for some heroics from Maži? and Sergio Romero, Sabella and his men might have been recounting a whole different story by now.

The Iran defence was stout. They knew what they were doing and when to do it. In fact there were some distinct spells in the game (look away if you are an Argentina fan) where Iranians literally outplayed the Argentines.

Raza Ghoochannejhad and Askhan Dejagah had a couple of brilliant attempts at the Argentine goal, only to be denied by the magnificent Sergio Romero.

It was not as if the Albiceleste didn’t produce opportunities of their own, but the Iran defence wasn’t the Swiss cheese that the Argentines might have expected.

Gonzalo Higuain forced Ali Reza Haghighi early on in the game. But prize for “misses of the game” goes to Marcos Rojo and Sergio Aguero. Both could and probably should have easily put Argentina in front when they had the opportunities.

It wasn’t to be. It was on Messi’s shoulder to pull the Argentines out of the mud yet again for the second game running.

After distinctly producing nothing of note throughout the game, the left foot of the genius produced the single moment that will be remembered from this game in years to come. An in-swinging curler from 25 yards out in to the far corner that no goalkeeper had a prayer of saving ; that’s what Messi had us all waiting for till the 91st minute.

Many of the Argentine fans might say it was worth the wait. It was certainly a goal for the ages, but most will know deep in their hearts that they would rather take a tap in followed by some staunch rear-guard action to pull off a 1-0 score line.

And then it was “Klose-d”

Poor Ghana. The Africans played one of the best games that anyone could have played against the Germans, but by the end of the day nobody is talking about it.

For those who enjoy their fair share of controversy, they are still revisiting the tackle by Zabaleta. Fans of Lionel Messi of course will still be watching re-runs after re-runs of the brilliant goal from the left-footed wizard. And, for the Germans and the German fans, it was all about a certain Miroslav Klose.

It was a marvellous display and the Black Stars’ play largely defined the sort of entertaining game this eventually turned out to be.

When Mario Götze’s fortunate header put the Germans in front, it sent the feeling that this game was again going to turn out to be a game where “Germany are gonna Germany”, after a disappointing first forty-five minutes .

However, in the minutes to follow, the sound defensive schemes that the German game is generally built on gave way.

In the 20 odd minute spell when the Germans looked shaken up and bewildered, the Black starts came storming back into the game.

Shifting up a few gears, the Ghanaians had the Germans bases shook as first Andre Ayew and then Asamoah Gyan hit the Germans to give Ghana a deserving lead.

Joachim Löw, whose inclusion of Miroslav Klose in the 23-man squad itself was heavily criticised, responded by deciding to roll the dice with twenty minutes remaining on the veteran striker.

With his first touch Klose vindicated the move. Löw’s gamble had paid off as Klose’s goal scoring instinct led him to the far post on a corner. Benedikt Höwedes’ flick which was sailing away from the far post was turned into the goal by ex-Bayern Munich star to bring the game level.

More importantly, this was Klose’s 15th goal in the FIFA World Cups. He is now tied with the Brazil’s Luiz Ronaldo now as the highest goal scorer in the tournament.

The sad fact remains that the media, rather than focus on the brilliant game produced by the Black Stars will ponder over the team that was upset and nibble at its shortcomings. Alas! Such is the fate of being a “minnow”.

Nigeria knock out Bosnia & Herzegovina

Meanwhile in Cuiaba, Peter Odemwingie’s 29th minute strike was enough for the Super Eagles to sail to their first victory of the tournament.

For Bosnia & Herzegovina it was the end of the road as the East-Europeans succumbed to their second defeat in as many games.

While Nigeria came out of the blocks quicker than their European opponents, it was the Bosnians who should have had the lead in the 21st minute.

Vincent Enyeama was beaten when Edin Džeko was brilliantly played in by a Miralem Pjani? through ball. However to the disappointed and fury of the Manchester City forward, the assistant referee raised his flag on account of offside. However, replays clearly showed that Džeko was clearly onside.

Džeko was again put in a few minutes later, this time by Haris Medunjanin only for Vincent Enyeama come up big on this occasion.

The Super Eagles however looked dangerous on the counter and so it proved on the 29 minute mark. Emmanuel Emenike’s superb build up play on the right had an equally good assist at the end of it. Emenike had the presence of mind to find an on-rushing Peter Odemwingie who obliged with the finish.

Vedad Ibiševi? was put on in the second as the Dragons threw the kitchen-sink at the Africans. But it was not until stoppage time that Bosnia really looked threatening. Džeko, to his disappointment first hit the goalkeeper and a few minutes later, clipped the post.

The Super Eagles survived the onslaught and now have 4 points from their two games. With Iran their closest rival for the second spot and a whole three points behind, the Africans should fancy their chances to move in to the next round, though facing Argentina in their last game.

Edited by Staff Editor