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Day 10 in 100 words or less If this was 2010 and Germany and Ghana had just played out the 2-2 draw that took place on Saturday then people would be talking about it as one of the greatest games in World Cup history. Of course it wasnt, although it was fantastic, but place that game around a long bunch of duds and that would have been the perception. Instead, it came in the midst of what is turning out to be the finest World Cup group stage ever. Typically, for Brazil 2014, the game wasnt even the main story on day 10, instead the little master took over that honour. Argentina 1-0 Iran Sometimes there just has to be a winner. Someone proved right even when it just seemed they were so wrong. You will have heard by now that Lionel Messi scored a dramatic injury time winner against Iran so you probably presume that the winner I am talking about is him. I am not. Heading into this World Cup the biggest storyline of all was "can the best player in the world carry Argentina to glory and become one of the greats?" For many it was nonsense, an obsession with an individual in a team sport who cannot possibly do it all himself. As the clock ticked past the ninety minute mark that crowd smiled. Resolute Iran had defended brilliantly. In a World Cup full of swashbuckling, quick, decisive finishing, it took a footballing minnow to give a masterclass in defending. Dont be fooled, they threatened to score also, but above anything else they made world class attacking stars look very ordinary. This included Messi. It was the perfect example of a game that laughed in the face of those who demanded the Barcelona star must carry his team. A game that required complete cohesion, partnerships on the field, combining to open up an opponent. A game that, late in the first half, saw Messi pick up the ball, look up and see 11 opponents in front of him... Iran did a great job with Messi, not only marking him tightly but being so disciplined with their shape and getting extra numbers that were ready if Messi cut in with his left. Messi from deep areas likes to glide from right to left but still the Iranians blocked that path. Last weekend Messi was able to score his goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina when that key area highlighted by the square (below) was open and not blocked with defenders... A 1-2 pass with Fernando Gago and suddenly Messi is into that space, shoots to the right of the goalkeeper for the game winner. And that was how he got his goal against Iran. With the game coming to a close, Iran got too deep, Messi got a one-on-one matchup with the defender and saw space to his left if he cut in... With 11 men behind the ball, but with that crucial narrow space opening up, Messi unleashed a brilliant strike to win it... Goals change perceptions as quickly as they change games. Suddenly Messi was doing what some had demanded. Carrying Argentina on his back to a victory. It was a wonderful World Cup moment, without question, but those demanding it, should be careful what they wish for. This is not Messi of 2010 and it is not even close. Yet. By not scoring, and therefore not having a moment, in South Africa Messis legacy was seen as tarnished for not performing at a World Cup. Now he looks tired and isnt quite at the same level, but scoring, everything seems to be fine again. It just goes to show you what a staggeringly misguided argument it was in the first place. Germany 2-2 Ghana There is no room for perfection in a World Cup like this. Germany, superior against Portugal, were clearly the most impressive team after the first round of games but it just wouldnt be Brazil 2014 if that was allowed to continue. Germany, much like Italy and Spain this week, spent some time in the heat of Brazil struggling to get back in a match. The big difference was they had a record breaker to bring off the bench. For the first time since 1994, the Germans trailed at the World Cup after leading and, stunned at 2-1, on came Miroslav Klose. Two minutes later he had them level, fittingly poaching at the backpost, equaling the Brazilian great Ronaldo with 15 World Cup goals. It was the fourth goal in a mad 20 minutes. Ghana had joined an ever-growing comeback club at this World Cup responding to a Mario Gotze opener with two excellent goals that highlighted some German weakness. Germanys weakness is their defence and they were easily outjumped by Andre Ayew to make it 1-1. The heat of Fortaleza certainly played a part but the tempo of their passing wasnt quick enough either and that showed when they turned the ball over on the second goal. Philipp Lahm has now had two opportunities to move back to right back in two games but so far Joachim Low has resisted. To get Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos together, bringing more pace and power to their midfield, Lahm may need to move back to defence. Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina The African momentum continued into the evening game, which was another wide open, stretched affair. The game swung in the first half when Edin Dzeko was wrongly ruled offside after putting his team ahead. Soon after, Nigeria, a constant threat down the right side, opened the scoring when Emmanuel Emenike crossed for Peter Odemwingie to smash home. The Europeans were poor in the second half and didnt threaten enough until Vincent Enyeama produced a wonderful save with his legs in the dying moments. Seen as some as a dark horse heading in, the World Cup rookies are eliminated at the first fence. Another lesson that far too much emphasis can be placed on form from qualifying, which ended eight months ago. Man of the Day Nominees Ashkan Dejagah – Iran had many stars on this day but the Fulham man was incredibly lively when they countered and could have had a penalty when tripped by Pablo Zabaleta. Javad Nekounam – If Dejagah was the star going forward, his midfielder teammate was marvelous maintaining the shape and discipline of their back lines. Lionel Messi – It could have been a two yard tap-in and it still would have been a massive moment, given the timing of the goal, but in the end it was an absolutely stunning goal. Miroslav Klose – Any player who equals any stat held by the great Ronaldo is special. Emmanuel Emenike – It was a dominant display from the forward tearing apart Emir Spahic at the heart of the Bosnian defence. The winner... Lionel Messi – Who else? What comes next? Belgium vs. Russia (12pm/9am), South Korea vs. Algeria (3pm/noon), USA vs. Portugal (6pm/3pm). Burning question for Sunday Can the USA stop Joao Moutinho from dictating a game from midfield? Key stat of Day 10 Try this on your friends – what do Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Stoke City have in common? They are the three teams that have had players score past their club goalkeeper. Zinedine Zidane vs Iker Casillas (2006), Wesley Sneijder vs Julio Cesar (2010) and now Peter Odemwingie vs Asmir Begovic (2014). Air Max 90 2018 Discount . This time, Tebow was in a groove the entire second half -- not just in the waning minutes -- and his teammates on defence were getting gobbled up. Black Air Max 90 2018 . Pierre last November, only to watch St. Pierre leave the UFC octagon with his welterweight title belt and a split-decision victory. http://www.cheapairmax90freeshipping.com/. made a diving catch in left field for the final out in a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins in a regular-season finale Sunday. Zimmermann (14-5) allowed only two baserunners, finishing with 10 strikeouts and one walk in the fifth no-hitter in the majors this year. White Air Max 90 2018 . PETERSBURG, Fla. Air Max 90 2018 Outlet . Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres came to an agreement on a big trade that may only offer incremental improvement to the Blues in their quest for a Stanley Cup.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots are moving on from a game they didnt have to win to one they cant afford to lose.Their 17-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday had no bearing on their status as the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Key starters didnt play and subdued fans rested their voices for the post-season.Any momentum gained by a victory would disappear by the time New England plays its next game at home on Jan. 10.I dont really believe that you can get bad habits in football, safety Devin McCourty said. I think everything is all about preparation each week. You do everything great one week, it doesnt mean next week you created good habits and itll happen again.Not knowing their next opponent, the Patriots (12-4) will spend this week scouting themselves, figuring out where they can improve as individuals and a team and then practicing to do that.Their division-round foe will be determined this coming weekend.Theyll play the wild-card winner with the lowest seed. It would be No. 6 Baltimore if it beats No. 3 Pittsburgh on Saturday. If Pittsburgh wins, the Patriots will play the winner of Sundays game between No. 4 Indianapolis and No. 5. Cincinnati.The Patriots beat Indianapolis (42-20) and Cincinnati (43-17) this season. Against Baltimore, they lost in the playoffs in the 2009 and 2012 seasons and won in the 2011 season, but the Ravens roster has changed substantially the past two seasons.Well have to be ready for the different possibilities, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday. Certain members of our staff will be doing the forward preparation on them. But we know where well be playing. ... We know the potential for some of the conditions that well be playing in.Winter in New England brings cold, wind and snow that can take a toll on the body.Belichick said Monday hes fine after meeting with club medical personnel about his health immediately after Sundays game.His team should be rested and relatively healthy for the playoff game with some regulars playing for the first time in at least three weeks.dddddddddddd.Julian Edelman, the Patriots top receiver, was inactive against the Bills. So was Rob Gronkowski, the powerful tight end who got through the season uninjured after being limited to seven games last season following forearm, back and knee problems.Edelman is Tom Bradys reliable, sure-handed, go-to receiver. Gronkowski overpowers defenders and demands double coverage that opens space for other receivers.Without them — and inactive linemen Dan Connolly and Sebastian Vollmer — Brady struggled in the first half against Buffalo. Then he watched from the sideline as rookie Jimmy Garoppolo played the rest of the way.Hopefully, Gronk is ready to roll and Jules is ready to roll and the guys up front are ready to roll in the next game, Brady said. Its good when you have your very good players out there.Sundays game gave backups extended playing time, experience that could come in handy in the post-season.On defence, Jonathan Casillas started for linebacker Donta Hightower and Logan Ryan replaced cornerback Brandon Browner with both regulars inactive.Still, the Patriots didnt allow a second-half touchdown for the sixth straight game.Were trying to improve as the game goes along, defensive co-ordinator Matt Patricia said. I think every play as the game goes becomes more critical. I think our guys understand that and thats something we put a point of emphasis on.Once the Patriots know their opponent, the emphasis will be on devising a game plan.No matter who we play, there are things that were going to need to work on this week, Belichick said. We definitely would want to have the preparation work done so that when we do find out how things unfold that we can just dive right in.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '