FIFA World Cup 2014: Messi strikes again

Published June 26, 2014
Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (R) prepares to make a save from Argentina's defender Ezequiel Garay (C) as Nigeria's midfielder Ogenyi Onazi (L) looks on during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (R) prepares to make a save from Argentina's defender Ezequiel Garay (C) as Nigeria's midfielder Ogenyi Onazi (L) looks on during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Nigeria's defender Efe Ambrose (L) challenges Argentina's forward Sergio Aguero during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Nigeria's defender Efe Ambrose (L) challenges Argentina's forward Sergio Aguero during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (TOP) prepares to make a save from Argentina's forward Ezequiel Lavezzi (R) as Nigeria's midfielder Ogenyi Onazi (2R) and Nigeria's defender Kenneth Omeruo (L) look on during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  – Photo by AFP
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (TOP) prepares to make a save from Argentina's forward Ezequiel Lavezzi (R) as Nigeria's midfielder Ogenyi Onazi (2R) and Nigeria's defender Kenneth Omeruo (L) look on during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. – Photo by AFP
Argentina's fans pose before the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Argentina's fans pose before the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Iran's defender Mehrdad Pooladi (L) and Bosnia-Herzegovina's midfielder Avdija Vrsajevic vie for the ball during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Iran's defender Mehrdad Pooladi (L) and Bosnia-Herzegovina's midfielder Avdija Vrsajevic vie for the ball during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Iran's forward Ashkan Dejagah (R) and Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Sead Kolasinac (C) vie for the ball during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Iran's forward Ashkan Dejagah (R) and Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Sead Kolasinac (C) vie for the ball during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
A fan of Bosnia-Hercegovina reacts during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
A fan of Bosnia-Hercegovina reacts during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Fans of Iran cheer before a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Fans of Iran cheer before a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Ecuador's goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez (2nd R) defends his goal during a Group E football match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Ecuador's goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez (2nd R) defends his goal during a Group E football match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
rance's forward Olivier Giroud (R) in action during a Group E football match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
rance's forward Olivier Giroud (R) in action during a Group E football match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Honduras' midfielder Jorge Claros (L) vies with Switzerland's forward Admir Mehmedi during a Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Honduras' midfielder Jorge Claros (L) vies with Switzerland's forward Admir Mehmedi during a Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Switzerland's midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (L) vies with Honduras' defender Victor Bernardez during a Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Switzerland's midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (L) vies with Honduras' defender Victor Bernardez during a Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Switzerland's defender Ricardo Rodriguez (C) clears a shot on goal by Honduras' forward Jerry Palacios (R) during the Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. Switzerland won 3-0. – Photo by AFP
Switzerland's defender Ricardo Rodriguez (C) clears a shot on goal by Honduras' forward Jerry Palacios (R) during the Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. Switzerland won 3-0. – Photo by AFP
Switzerland's fans celebrate at the end of the Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. Switzerland won 3-0. – Photo by AFP
Switzerland's fans celebrate at the end of the Group E football match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. Switzerland won 3-0. – Photo by AFP

Lionel Messi scored twice to inspire Argentina to a thrilling 3-2 win over Nigeria on Wednesday which clinched top spot in World Cup Group F.

France played out a 0-0 draw against 10-man Ecuador, while Switzerland beat Honduras 3-0 to qualify second in Group F.

Bosnia recorded its first ever World Cup victory in the day’s other match, downing Iran, 3-1, as both teams exited the tournament.

Opinion

Editorial

Wheat price crash
Updated 20 May, 2024

Wheat price crash

What the government has done to Punjab’s smallholder wheat growers by staying out of the market amid crashing prices is deplorable.
Afghan corruption
20 May, 2024

Afghan corruption

AMONGST the reasons that the Afghan Taliban marched into Kabul in August 2021 without any resistance to speak of ...
Volleyball triumph
20 May, 2024

Volleyball triumph

IN the last week, while Pakistan’s cricket team savoured a come-from-behind T20 series victory against Ireland,...
Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.