Messi Lights Up The Maracana

(Lionel Messi reeling off in delight after a stunning individual
effort)
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. 

Many doubted him, few believed him, some ridiculed him, others ignored him. Not Bosnia though. The Bosnians never for one moment, doubted, ridiculed, ignored or lacked belief in his capability, so much so that they were tasked to hack him with any chance they had. And so they did. 

In order to gauge how good a player is, people usually know what he is going to do before he does it, yet still fail to stop him. When Messi was bearing down on the Asmir Begovic's box, the crowd inside Brazil's iconic Maracana could see the net bulging before Messi struck his shot into the bottom corner, in off the post. 

In all honesty, though the scoreline seemed to suggest that it was a tight match, the men from Buenos Aires were playing with the handbrake on, in second gear at times. One had the hunch that if the need arose, they could pop the clutch and gather speed in no time. 

(Messi drives the ball past Asmir Begovic)
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

That's exactly what Messi did. Into third gear, then fourth, going pass five players before doubling Argentina's lead. 

Truly one of the great World Cup goals in recent history, made even better the fact that it lit up the Maracana. Can Argentina be stopped? Time will tell on that one, but their defence can be got at by the bigger more potent teams. They will coast out of this group though. 

Swiss fans having a gala time, after watching
their team nick the game at the death.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

The remaining two matches last night were expected results, but the manner in which Switzerland got theirs was truly breathtaking. Coming from a goal down, they managed the almost impossible in the dying seconds in what was the last kick of that match, Haris Seferovic grabbed the winner. 

However, they might find it a bit harder to topple the French. Pace, power and strength is what Les Bleus have, with the quartet of Cabaye, Pogba, Griezmann and Valbuena buzzing in behind Karim Benzema, who could have bagged a hat trick had his shot gone in off the post. Thanks to goal line technology though, the goal was awarded and credited to Honduras' goalkeeper as an Own Goal. 

Karim Benzema "I'm the man for Les Bleus"
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Today's fixtures present a bit of both, one cracker, and the remaining two which might not garner much attention.

Germany v Portugal

On one hand, there is a team which is shaped to get the best out of 11 players on the pitch, while the other has its base set, in order to support one superstar. Which will likely come out on top? 

It will come down to how solid DieManschaaft are tonight and whether they can defend as a pack of wolves, compact, organised in order to cut the feed to Cristiano Ronaldo. To nail him, they would have to keep an eye out for Joao Moutinho. Though not at Pirlo's level, this little guy at times can have the football tied to a string. 

Joachim Low's lack of backup to Miroslav Klose could prove telling, unless someone in the mold of Mario Gotze or Mesut Ozil start in that famous 'false number 9' up top, to bring out Pepe from his comfort zone. 

There is a question mark on Bastian Schweinsteiger's fitness to face the Portuguese tonight, though it might be better if he is left on the bench, in favour of Philip Lahm in centre midfield. The Germans lack a true holding midfielder in the engine room, but Lahm can more than do a job. 

I'm going for the team to come out on top against the individual tonight, though do not be surprised if Ronaldo turns on the magic. 

My take: Germany 3-1 Portugal

Ghana v USA

The Black Stars, as Ghana is known as, come into this one feeling a little aggrieved, after they went down to Uruguay in the last World Cup no thanks to Luis Suarez's ridiculous moment of 'Lev Yashin wannabe', but have a very balanced team this time around. 

Look for the Ayew brothers and Asamoah Gyan to be the standout performers in this encounter, but especially so when it concerns Kevin-Prince Boateng. He has had a terrific season with Schalke, and is primed to turn it on on the big stage. For the Americans though, I'm not exactly sure what sort of side Jurgen Klinsmann would put out in order to counter the Ghanaians pace, and might struggle if they are swarmed in constant attacks. 

My take: Ghana 2-1 USA

Iran v Nigeria

This one could turn out to be a dire affair, though Nigeria are the favourites going into this matchup, with the likes of proven goalscorers like Peter Odemwingie and Emmanuel Eminenke, flanked by Victor Moses. 

Iran though, might find it tough tonight, having to rely on team ethic and little else, unless of course Javad Nekounam can pull a rabbit out of a hat. 

My take: Iran 0-1 Nigeria

Till tomorrow