FIFA World Cup 2014: Messi strikes again

AFP 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.

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Comments (1) Closed
Dr. Cajetan Coelho
Jun 26, 2014 01:07pm
Lionel Messi is peaking at the right time.
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