Last-gasp goal rescues Argentina from messi situation
One moment of authentic genius was enough here in Belo Horizonte to defeat 90 minutes of extraordinary courage, effort and organisation.
Iran, the country whose socks reportedly shrank in the wash and whose preparations were largely derailed by political sanctions, had contained and even threatened to beat the most extravagantly gifted attacking team in the tournament.It had been a truly heroic performance but then, just as fourth official Norbert Hauata lifted his board to signal five minutes of added time, the ball fell to Lionel Messi.
Argentina’s captain and talisman had been negated until that moment but, with a quick shift of his feet, he created a yard of space in front of a tiring Iran defence.
It was all that was needed, with his deadly subsequent finish almost inevitable even from outside the penalty area.
Klose call for Germany in 2-2 thriller
After a torpid first half of patient German possession and quick Ghanaian counterattacks, the game sprang to life in the 51st minute, when Mario Gotze capped a long run to head home Thomas Muller’s fine cross.
The Germans had barely finished celebrating when Ghana pulled level; Andre Ayew rose above a static German defense to head past Manuel Neuer in the 54th minute.
The Black Stars then took a shock lead in the 63rd minute, after Sulley Muntari broke up some sloppy German play in their own midfield to send a pass to Asamoah Gyan.
The striker raced in on goal, took one touch to control the ball and another to fire it past the outstretched fingertips of Manuel Neuer.
Germany won a corner, and Klose’s first action was to pop up at the far post to poke home a loose ball that flashed across the goalmouth.
The goal was Klose’s 15th in World Cup finals play, tying him with Brazil’s Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer.
He also became the third player to score in four tournaments alongside Pele and Germany’s Uwe Seeler.
The result leaves Germany at the top of Group G with four points from two games; a win for the United States against Portugal in Manaus tomorrow would give the Americans sole possession of top spot.
Bosnia's World Cup debut over after one weekThe Super Eagles shaded the opening exchanges though the momentum of the game seemed to be gradually shifting in Bosnia's favor as the match grew on.
Nigeria still stayed dangerous on the counter-attack, and they took full advantage by opening the scoring just short of the half-hour.
Emmanuel Emenike out-muscled Bosnia defender Emir Spahić down the right, before drilling the ball across the box for Peter Odemwingie to stroke beyond Begović.
The Super Eagles barely survived the Dragons' late rally but the latter will progress no further than the group stage in their first World Cup as Nigeria managed to hold the lead.
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