Iran beware, magical Messi is on a World Cup mission

Lionel Messi at the Maracana.

For every football fan bar the host nation, it really couldn’t have been scripted any better. The best player in the world striding out at the most iconic stadium.

With 50,000 Argentina supporters in full voice, for one day only the domain of the Selecao was demonstrably Albiceleste. The time had come. But could Messi deliver?

In two previous World Cup tournaments, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, Barcelona’s record holder was conspicuous by his absence for long periods.

Just a single World Cup goal to his name, an 87th minute strike against Serbia & Montenegro in a 6-0 win in 2006, hinted at the difficulties he has encountered on the biggest stage of all.

And with a defensive 3-5-2 formation initially employed by Alejandro Sabella at the opening of proceedings against Bosnia Herzegovina, you had the feeling that Messi’s troubles might well continue.

A whipped-in free-kick which led to the opening goal aside, Messi and Argentina were sluggish throughout the opening period. Despite having Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria alongside, Messi couldn’t find any rhythm, drive or fluidity to his play.

Far too often one got in the others way and simple passes went astray in a packed midfield. It seemed as though Messi’s tortuous tournament experience would continue, the spark that so often ignites Barcelona’s forward play non-existent.

Why had Sabella decided to shoe-horn Messi into a system that he had only ever played in away games at altitude during qualifying?

It certainly didn’t seem to be the appropriate time and place to be tinkering with line ups and positional changes, and the lack of quality in possession was clear evidence that the manager had got it wrong.

So wrong in fact that the Bosnians had managed more attempts on goal that their more illustrious counterparts by half time.

To his credit, Sabella altered things immediately after half time, via the introduction of Gonzalo Higuain, and the ex-Real Madrid man’s impact was almost instant in the 4-3-3 set up the manager now required.

Alongside Aguero, Higuain’s movement and attention to tactical detail was more than enough to tie up Bosnian centre-backs Emir Spahic and Ermin Bicakcic. Messi was still having to drop deep to receive the ball but now there was acres of green being created for him to diligently go about his work.

MOMENT OF MAGIC

Messi’s game started to have a much more natural flow to it and his goal, when it came was a work of art and so very typically La Pulga.

In a move straight off of the training pitches of La Masia, Messi received the ball from Higuain just by the centre circle. The latter’s darting run immediately opened up the channels and allowed Messi a one-on-one situation.

A move out to the left and quick ball to Higuain who was now almost at the penalty box saw two more players taken out of the game, and a first time lay off from El Pipita was collected by the now full-speed Messi.

His pace and balance took him past three defenders in one movement, before he unleashed a powerful shot that kissed the right hand upright on it’s way in. The cacophony of noise to greet the arrival of ball in onion bag was spectacular.

Pressure lifted. Mood altered. Messi had arrived.

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Post-match talk strangely centred on Higuain with rumours rife that Higuain had agreed personal terms on a move to Barcelona in time for the new season.

On this form, it’s easy to understand why the Napoli man might be prepared to risk the wrath of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful and sign for Real’s most hated rivals. His link-up play with Messi is bordering on the telepathic and a joy to behold. Poetic at times.

Although the third goal never came, it wasn’t for the want of trying. The tired and nervous XI of the first half was now a prowling, predatory beast and a very late consolation for Bosnia should take nothing away from the nature of Argentina’s second half performance.

Unless another game absolutely calls for it, Sabella should abandon the 5-3-2 for the rest of the tournament. If Higuain isn’t fit enough for a full 90 minutes, then Aguero can take the reins up top with Messi tucked in behind in an attacking 4-2-3-1.

The manager has shown that he is prepared to bend tactically and not force his players into a system that they are patently not comfortable with, and it’s that sort of flexibility and nous that can win Argentina the tournament.

That, and an unburdened Lionel Messi.

*Jason Pettigrove is a freelance FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and La Liga correspondent for @YahooSportsME as well as a number of other print/digital media. Follow him @jasonpettigrove