Double joy for Messi's birthday

THERE are perhaps few better ways to celebrate one's 27th birthday. Scoring two more goals in the World Cup surely ranks high on the list for the irrepressible Lionel Messi.

A day after the tournament was dogged by the alleged biting incident involving the Uruguayan misfit Luis Suarez, it was up to Messi to draw the world's attention back to all things beautiful about The Beautiful Game.

The Argentina forward's brace of goals against Nigeria yesterday - a cool finish off a rebound from an Angel di Maria strike, and a sublime free kick on the stroke of half-time - ensured his country finished top of the group with the maximum nine points.