Out-of-this world Messi stars again; Argentina, Nigeria, France, Switzerland advance

26 มิถุนายน 2557

Lionel Messi, a native of planet Jupiter according to Nigeria's coach, leads Argentina over the African side and into the knockout stage. Nigeria also advance as do France and Switzerland.

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Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (2R) scores 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. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

Messi magic as Argentina march on, France, Swiss advance

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil, AFP) – Lionel Messi lit up the World Cup again Wednesday to inspire Argentina as France and Switzerland both booked their places in the last 16.

Argentina captain Messi bagged his third consecutive man-of-the-match award after scoring twice as the South American giants beat Nigeria 3-2 to top Group F. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186458/index.html)

Nigeria advanced to the second round for the first time since 1998 despite the loss after Bosnia defeated Iran 3-1 in Salvador.

Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa is mobbed by teammates as he celebrates scoring during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina. AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD

Argentina will now play Group E runners-up Switzerland in Sao Paulo next Tuesday while Nigeria meet France in Brasilia on Monday.

Despite a slow start to the tournament Argentina have gradually showed signs of rediscovering the attacking flair seen during their qualifying campaign.

Messi, desperate for World Cup glory to cement his place in the pantheon of football's greatest players, was again his team's saviour as he bagged his third and fourth goals of the tournament.

The goals – including one exquisite curling free-kick – followed his match-winning strikes against Bosnia and Iran in earlier group games.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (2R) curls a freekick around the wall to score. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi led the tributes to the diminutive Barcelona superstar after his side's defeat.

"Messi is one heck of a player, he's blessed," Keshi said

"There are other calibre players in Argentina that are very strong, but Messi is from (planet) Jupiter."

Messi expressed satisfaction that Argentina appear to be building a head of steam as the competition enters its decisive phase.

"We hope to continue like this, I think today you saw a better Argentina," he said.

"I'm happy at what we've done so far and to finish top of the group. A team like Nigeria play well, if you allow them space they can do you damage."

ans of Iran pose 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. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI

But while Argentina and Nigeria prepared to extend their stay in Brazil, Bosnia and Iran were ruing first round exits.

Goals from Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajaveic secured a consolation win for Bosnia, with Reza Ghoochannejad the scorer of Iran's only goal. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186464/index.html)

Bosnia-Herzegovina's forward Edin Dzeko (top C), Iran's midfielder Andranik Teymourian (L) and Iran's defender Mehrdad Pooladi vie for the ball during the Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND

But while Bosnia coach Safet Susic was pleased to finish on a winning note, he was unhappy with his team's overall campaign.

"It's not a satisfactory end to our World Cup," said Susic. "We could have done more and should have made that extra step."

In the late games, France sealed first place in Group E to secure their Nigerian assignment with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Ecuador at Rio de Janeiro's famous Maracana Stadium. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186515/index.html)

France's defender Bakary Sagna (L) challenges Ecuador's midfielder Jefferson Montero 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. AFP PHOTO / RODRIGO BUENDIA

France, virtually guaranteed to finish in first even with a defeat because of their superior goal difference, enjoyed the better of the chances throughout.

However Les Bleus were unable to punish Ecuador after they had captain and Manchester United star Antonio Valencia sent off for a rash challenge on Lucas Digne.

Ecuador's failure to make any impression on France allowed Switzerland to grab the runners-up spot ahead of them.

Switzerland defeated Honduras 3-0 in Manaus with Bayern Munich youngster Xherdan Shaqiri grabbing a fine hat-trick for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186482/index.html)

Switzerland's midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri scores his team's second goal 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. AFP PHOTO / RODRIGO ARANGUA

It was sweet revenge for Switzerland who missed out on a place in the last 16 in South Africa four years ago after being held to a draw by the Central Americans.

Thursday's final round of group games will see the completion of the first phase with Russia, Algeria and South Korea attempting to qualify from Group H behind Belgium.

Algeria play Russia while Belgium face South Korea.

In Group G meanwhile, Germany and the United States meet in Recife knowing that a draw would take both sides through.

Portugal and Ghana meet in the day's other hoping to capitalise on any slip-ups by the Germans or Americans.

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