Updated 19:15
A STUNNING, INJURY TIME strike from Lionel Messi spared Argentina’s blushes as they qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win over Iran in Belo Horizonte.
Argentina had been thankful to three fine second-half saves from goalkeeper Sergio Romero just to be level heading into stoppage time, whilst Iran had also had a strong penalty appeal waved away when Pablo Zabaleta appeared to foul Ashkan Dejagah inside the area.
However, despite having endured a quiet game by his standards, Messi produced a moment of magic when his side needed it most to register his second goal of the tournament.
With many, including the ITV and RTE pundits, predicting Carlos Queiroz’ side to struggle, Gonzalo Higuain curled an effort towards the top corner but Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi clawed the effort away. Higuain was then slipped through but his slow shot was well blocked by the onrushing Haghighi.
Marcos Rojo headed a corner past the far post midway through the half but Iran held firm and occasionally pressed the Argentine’s upfield.
Argentina’s best chance of the half came after 35 minutes when Messi picked out Ezequiel Garay with a free kick from just outside the box. The defender got under the cross, however, and could not keep his header down. The first-half fare did little to impress watching Argentina legend Diego Maradona.
Iran were incensed that they were not awarded a penalty in the second half as Zabaleta clashed with Dejagah in the Argentine box:
https://vine.co/v/MTtr0BzrdXW
Romero was forced to come to his side’s rescue again moments later he got fingertips to a fine header from Dejagah to turn the ball behind and the Monaco stopper denied Reza once more as Iran threatened to nick all three points on the counter-attack two minutes from time.
Instead it was Argentina who snatched victory at the last as Messi created the half yard of space he needed on the edge of the area before leaving Haghighi with no chance as he curled the ball just inside the far corner on his favoured left foot.
– Additional reporting by AFP
