Belgrade - Bosnian newspapers on Monday radiated pride following the country's World Cup debut, despite losing 2-1 to Leo Messi's Argentina.
"(Vedad) Ibisevic’s goal for history," the Dnevni Avaz proclaimed across its front page, explaining that it was the first World Cup goal for Bosnia since it split from Yugoslavia 22 years ago.Another Sarajevo daily, Oslobodjenje, reported a "festive mood of thousands in Sarajevo streets despite the loss."Media reports and comments agreed that Bosnia showed skill, grit and determination against heavily favoured Argentina."The Dragons gave Argentina a hard time," wrote Nezavisne Novine, a newspaper based in Banja Luka. "What they showed encourages ahead of decisive duels with Nigeria and Iran in the fight for passage to thenext round.""If they play like this, the Dragons will advance past the group stage," the Avaz report predicted.Argentina went up early when Sead Kolasinac tipped the ball into his own net, then to 2-0 on Leo Messi’s strike. Ibisevic scored six minutes from full time for the honour-saving goal.After it declared independence in 1992, Bosnia went through 40 months of war pitting Serbs against Muslims and Croats. It remains divided along ethnic lines to present day.