Day 10; Messi and the Power Horse

Iran versus Argentina was either going to be a five nil victory for the favourites with a Messi hat-trick, or a tedious affair of attack against defence where commenators frequently state that it's going to require 'something special' to make the breakthrough, and "Messi is the man provide that." Predictions for the Germany-Ghana fixture didn't offer an alternative to a win for the overwhelming favourites, unless of course it was the opinion of a Ghana fan revelling in the spotlight of a BBC camera. Aside from passionate predictions of pedestrians, the BBC's coverage contained montages of the 100 World Cup goals Germany have scored in their history, whilst the closest thing to a Mercedes advert that the channel could possibly air accompanied it, to highlight the mechanic-like efficiency of the Germans down the years, further evidence of the perception that they were incapable of slipping up against a Ghana team, cruelly robbed of a point by an over dramatic late winner by USA. Also to mention in this long winded introduction, is Nigeria versus Bosnia, the late night football for those with no Saturday night plans.

As mentioned previously, Iran and Argentina's meeting could go two ways, and unfortunately it went in the direction of a tedious match. Argentina unsurprisingly had the majority of possession, but as we often see, this does not mean it's easy to break sides down, especially sides as compact as the passengers on the London Underground between the hours of 8 and 9, or Iran.

Carlos Queiroz's team had all ready shut out Nigeria in the dullest game of the competition to date, and unless the listed after 'something special' occurred, were in danger of doing the same to an attacking Argentina side boasting, Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria, as well as Lionel Messi, longing to Maradona this World Cup. However his side lacked a cutting edge or a turn of pace that is so hard to simply conjure up when the opposition sit back so patiently, with a suction-tight midfield and defence begin the ball.

In fairness to Iran, they attempted to counter on occasion, with the pace of Dejagah allowing them to trouble the Argentina back four, committed to helping the attack. The game could've been very different if the referee had awared a deceivingly stone wall penalty, for Zabaleta's connecting with Dejagah, rather than ball. Iran also had other attempts on goal, but Romero in the Argentine goal rejected what would've been the most famous goal in Iran's football history, eclipsing those in the political match-up with USA in 1998.

But the ball still spent many more minutes up the other end of the field, eluding the goal on several occasions. The minutes ticked on and on, past 80 minutes, 90 minutes and into injury time as the game looked set to supply another victory/draw for the bus parkers, until...

Messi finally gets it as his feet, on the right of the box, skips past a defender like he does with such ease, almost as if he places his palm on the opposition's forehead with a stretched out arm, making it embarrassingly impossible for them to tackle him. Then he didn't release or striker, more like stroked a frighteningly accurate shot which curled into the top corner. 1 nil to Argentina, qualification confirmed and a possibly crucial moment in the tournament if Messi is to push on make this World Cup his own.

Germany's expected display of efficiency, ruthlessness and other words of German connotations aired next. The first half, and second half for that matter, was an even contest though. The low-socked and seemingly but surely not actually, shinpad-less goal scoring machine that is Thomas Müller went close with a sliding effort in the first half, before Muntari unlike Messi, did release a powerful left footed strike, which Neuer palmed away. 

But 'Ze Germanz,' to quote Lock Stock, in an attempt to show you all how much of a geezer I am, did take the lead. Müller, whose name I love using the 'ü' for, turned provider as he crossed in the assist for Mario Gotze to score a """""""header."""""""

Then, an outstanding game of World Cup football emerged, yet again in this remarkable, watchable tournament that has been worth all the late nights and early mornings with Adrian Chiles thus far. Andre Ayew did actually cleanly connect with a header to unexpectedly equalise for Ghana. And if the equaliser was unexpected, their next goal must've caused an astute stress reaction among the public, better known as 'shock.' Asamoah Gyan, formerly of Sunderland, now of Al Ain in the Arabian Gulf League, scoring goals and many Arabian dollars, put Ghana a goal ahead with a composed finish and composed enough celebration, to carry out a dance for everyone to enjoy. Everyone except Germany.

Typically though, they cut the joy short with a monumental goal from Miroslav Klose, who equalised Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals. Whilst his goals may not possess some of the flair and brilliance of the Brazilian legend's, and his trademark front flip celebration may not now reach the full 360 degrees, it's hard to deny what an immense goal scorer Klose has been, as well as being an easy man to build puns off. In the end, a draw was if not arguably, at least a welcomed result for spectators not holding German citizenship, bar Kevin-Prince Boateng who played for Ghana against brother, Jerome. However, Germany did move KLOSE to the last sixteen.

IN OTHER NEWS...

A day of games involving clear favourites was rounded off with the unpredictable meeting of Bosnia and Nigeria. The European side impressed against Argentina in their opener, although defeated, whereas Nigeria, seen by many as Africa's best hope of success, disappointed against Iran.

The loser of the game would be eliminated, and this created a nervy atmosphere. So nervy and scary, that Bosnia's main man, Edin Dzeko appeared to be hiding, seeing almost none of the ball in the first half and not buying tickets for raffles he could well of won.

One man gambling, once on a transfer to QPR being completed, now in Bosnian penalty boxes, was Peter Odemwingie, who provided a finish to Emineke's great work down the right, displaying pace and power and good composure to find his team-mate. The assister came in for praise from Martin Keown, who confused the clichès; 'Work-horse' and 'power-house,' to describe Emineke as a 'POWER-HORSE,' which I can only imagine if some kind of super-powered horse, possibly what an ordinary horse would evolve into should it be a Pokèmon with adequate training.

Back out the studio and onto the pitch, Dzeko did appear, but only to miss chances that could've saved his country's World Cup dreams. Instead, Bosnia's debut in the tournament will expire after their final group game.