Messi Scores Winner, The Swiss Win it at the Death

Switzerland vs Ecuador

To start of the day Switzerland and Ecuador opened up play in group E, with the the most dramatic game of the tournament. Ecuador took the lead after 22 minutes, following a free kick from the left hand side. Enner Valencia was left unmarked in the box, and made no mistake, turning the ball in with his head past the Swiss keeper (http://gfycat.com/FlusteredSelfishGrub). The Swiss found a reply just 2 minutes into the second half. More poor defending from set pieces, this time from the Ecuadorians, led to the tying goal, from the substitute Mehmedi (http://gfycat.com/UnlinedGracefulJackrabbit). As the second half went on, both teams had clear opportunities to snatch a winner. The Swiss failed to capitalize on a 3 on 1 break away, when Shaqiri's shot failed to find the net. The South Americans went close after a free kick deflected off of the Swiss wall, but Benaglio was able to adjust and keep it out. It wasn't until the 93rd minute, that the deadlock was broken. Behrami broke up an attack from Ecuador, with a sliding challenge. He picked up the ball and dribbled to half field, where he was taken to the ground by an Ecuadorian midfielder. Behrami immediately got up, the referee played the advantage, and he continued his run up the field. The ball eventually found its way wide on the left side. A low cross to the front post, found Seferovic and he tucked it home (http://gfycat.com/NeighboringScholarlyCivet). The goal came with less than 20 seconds left in the match. It is the latest, match winning, goal ever to be scored during the group stages of a world cup. These 3 points goes a long way in determining who will come out of Group E. The Swiss just need a good result against Honduras to progress. Ecuador need points out of games with France and Honduras, or they'll be going home early.

France vs Honduras

France needed to start of this world cup campaign with a win. Not only because they were facing the team pegged to finish 4th in the group, but also because of their monumental collapse at the previous world cup. The French lived up to expectations, and put on a performance of end to end domination over the Hondurans. Within the first half hour the French found the woodwork twice, but failed to find the back of the net. They didn't find their opener until the 44th minute. A clumsy challenge into the back of Paul Pogba, by Wilson Palacios, led to a penalty kick for France, and a second yellow card for Palacios (http://gfycat.com/OrderlyIdenticalLamb). Star forward, Karim Benzema stepped up to the spot, and dispatched the ball into the top left of the net (http://gfycat.com/UnsteadySelfishIndianpalmsquirrel). Honduras struggled to create chances, and now they were down 1-0, and forced to play the entire second half with 10 men. Just 3 minutes into the second half, the first relevant use of goal line technology led to the French doubling their lead. Benzema was played in beautifully at the back post, and his shot back across goal, banged off the post and bounced of the Honduran goalie and in (http://gfycat.com/AdmirableOrneryIcterinewarbler). A quick review of the play, made sure that a goal was correctly given, but it was registered as an own goal rather than a second for Benzema (http://gfycat.com/AntiqueCalmAcornweevil). In the 73rd minute, Benzema finally got his second goal. A corner kick played to the top of the box, was shot on goal by Debuchy. His shot ricocheted off of a injured Patrice Evra, and fell kindly for Benzema. He hammered the ball past the goalie, and put the exclamation point on a perfect night for the French.

Argentina vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lionel Messi and Argentina, faced off against Edin Dzeko and Bosnia, in the opener for group F. Argentina, one of the favorites to win the tournament, seemed to be a shoe-in for the round of 16 before the game even started. Getting drawn into a group with Iran, Nigeria, and Bosnia gave the Argentines one of the easiest groups in the tournament. On paper, Bosnia seem to be the 2nd best team in the group. Despite the fact that they are the only team in the tournament to never have made a previous appearance, their team is one that features a handful of world class players. Just 2 minutes into the game, Bosnia found their way into the record books, but not in a way they would have wanted. A free kick from the left side, from Lionel Messi, was floated towards the back post. After being missed by a couple players from both teams, a blinded Kolasinac, unknowingly deflected the ball into his own net (http://gfycat.com/ContentHeavenlyBrocketdeer). After just 2 minutes and 8 seconds, it is the fastest own goal in World Cup history. The minutes following the goal did not bode well for the Bosnians. Argentina were in complete control of the game. Despite their control, they couldn't find another goal. Bosnia did well to weather the storm, after giving up such an early goal. They began to impose their will on the game. The Bosnians were able to hold off a second Argentina goal until the 65th minute. The man of the match, Lionel Messi, scored in classic Messi fashion. He dribble in from the right, back across the goal, and finessed it past Begovic and in off the post (http://gfycat.com/InfiniteKnobbyHorseshoecrab). The night didn't end without worry for Argentina. Bosnia played well, and in the 85th minute, they found the goal they deserved. The Argentinian defense fell asleep and allowed substitute Ibisevic, to slip in behind and poke his shot through the legs of Romero (http://gfycat.com/FirsthandEnragedBadger). Despite the hiccup at the end, Argentina seem like they will have no problem winning all 3 group games, and advancing to the next round. Bosnia played well and should be able to take 2nd place in the group.

Group E

Group F