World Cup 2014: Messi vs. Ronaldo -- How Did Superstars Do In Opening Matches? (Watch)
The two biggest stars in the soccer world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, have played their first games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with differing results.
Heading into the tournament, both superstars were contending with a great deal of pressure. Ronaldo is now 29 and likely competing in his final World Cup. Meanwhile, Messi struggled four years ago, scoring a total of zero goals in five matches for Argentina. The shadows of Diego Maradona and Pele have loomed large for the Argentinian superstar; this was his big opportunity to overcome the ghosts of the past.
A Look at Messi
Messi's Argentina was the first team to bow, against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Argentina's 5-3-2 formation to start the game seemed intent on providing Messi with more offensive opportunities, but Bosnia responded. Messi's cross in the third minute went in off a Bosnian defender, but he went missing for the remainder of the first half. Every time he got the ball, the Eastern European side mobbed him and knocked the ball off his feet. Also, Argentina's use of five defenders gave Messi fewer options up front, helping Bosnia to further separate him from the ball.
That all changed in the second half when the team reverted to a more recognizable 4-3-3 formation and substituted in Gonzalo Higuain. Now Messi had more options at the front, and his running back deeper into the midfield to retrieve the ball did not take him out of the play so quickly. As a result, Argentina was moving the ball up the pitch more quickly and generating more chances. Messi eventually managed a bit of magic as he dribbled around the Bosnian defense and fired a laser that hit the post and went in. It was his first World Cup goal since 2006, and the relief on his face indicated just how important it was for him.
While Argentina won 2-1, it was far from a great game, and Messi's goal was one of the few truly inspired moments from Argentina's captain and talisman. He will need to step up his game more if the team truly wants to make a run at the championship. The start was decent at best.
Ronaldo Falters at Start
The same could not be said of Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar admittedly had a harder game to contest, as his side was facing a terrific German contingent. Ronaldo's side seemed intent on attacking, and early on, Ronaldo had a clear break in on goal that Manuel Neuer stopped. It was his best and only threatening opportunity of the night. He went missing for the rest of the first half and often seemed to be harming his teammates' creative play. Nani had a break down the right wing; instead of taking the ball toward the goal, the Manchester United player tried to pass it to Ronaldo, who was marked by three German defenders and was ahead of the ball. Later in the half, Fabio Coentrao found himself alone with Neuer in the box. Instead of shooting, he tried to dish it off to Ronaldo, who was standing offside by the goal.
Ronaldo did little to redeem his performance in the second half, though he did have a solid free kick blast stopped by Neuer late in the game.
Messi clearly has the edge after the first game, but Ronaldo has two more chances to redeem himself.
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