Olympics: Messi on target as Argentina win

    Thursday, August 7, 2008

    Lionel Messi emphasised his importance to Argentina, scoring one goal and setting up the winner as the south Americans kicked off their Olympic campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast. Just hours after Barcelona confirmed they would allow Messi to remain in Beijing for the duration of the tournament, he showed his star power to inspire Argentina at the Shanghai Stadium. Messi put Argentina ahead two minutes before the interval when he coolly sidefooted past Ivory Coast keeper Oscar Us ...

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