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21.June.2014 at 13:00
FIFA World Cup
Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Attendance : 57698
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia).
Opponent Confederation: CONMEBOL
Argentina
1 - 0
Iran
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia). FIFA World Cup / Group F-match

Goalscorers
Lionel Andrés MESSI 91' None.
Opening Line-up
Sergio Germán ROMERO
Pablo Javier ZABALETA
Ezequiel Marcelo GARAY
Federico FERNABDEZ
Faustino Marcos Alberto ROJO
Javier Alejandro MASCHERANO
Maximiliano Rubén RODRIGUEZ
Ãngel Fabián DI MARIA
Lionel Andrés MESSI
Sergio Leonel AGUERO
Gonzalo Gerardo HIGUAIN
Alireza HAGHIGHI
Pejman MONTAZERI
AmirHossein SADEGHI
Mehrdad POOLADI
Jalal HOSSEINI
Andranik TEYMOURIAN
Ashkan DEJAGAH
Javad NEKOUNAM
Masoud SHOJAEI
Ehsan HAJSAFI
Reza GHOOCHANNEJAD
Bench
Fernando Rubén Gago
Lucas BIGLIA
Enzo Nicolás Pérez
Agustín Ignacio Orión
Augusto Matías Fernández
Martín Gastón Demichelis
Rodrigo PALACIO
Ricardo Gabriel Ãlvarez
Mariano Gonzalo Andújar
Ezequiel LAVEZZI
José María Basanta
Hugo Campagnaro
Rahman AHMADI
Daniel DAVARI
Ahmad ALE NEMEH
Hashim BEIGZADEH
Hossein MAHINI
Steven BEITASHOUR
Bakhtiyar RAHMANI
Reza HAGHIGHI
Khosrow HEYDARI
Ghassim HADDADIFAR
Karim ANSARIFARD
AliReza JAHANBAKHSH
Substitutions
Ezequiel LAVEZZI -> Sergio Agüero
(77')
Rodrigo PALACIO -> Gonzalo Higuaín (77')
Lucas BIGLIA -> Ã. di María (90'
+4)
Khosrow HEYDARI -> Masoud SHOJAEI (77)
AliReza JAHANBAKHSH -> Ashkan DEJAGAH (85)
Reza HAGHIGHI -> Ehsan HAJSAFI (88)
Yellow cards
None Javad NEKOUNAM (53)
Masoud SHOJAEI (73)
Red cards
None None.
Match report
Coaches:
Argentina: Alejandro SABELLA (Argentina)
Iran : Carlos Queiroz (Portugal)

************************************************************************************

Argentina 1-0 Iran: Magnificent Messi strike breaks the hearts of Queiroz's men


A stunning strike from Lionel Messi snatched a 1-0 victory for Argentina against a spirited Iran side in Saturday's World Cup clash in Belo Horizonte.

Few would have expected Argentina, viewed as one of the favourites to win the tournament, to be given too much of a test by a team that has never gone beyond the first round of a World Cup in three previous appearances.

However, Carlos Queiroz's side, who had been criticised for their defensive style of play following their opening Group F goalless stalemate against Nigeria, produced another resolute display at Estadio Mineirao on Saturday to come within a few minutes of a highly creditable draw.

But, in injury time, it was Messi who stepped up when it mattered most, curling home brilliantly into the corner to give the South Americans a place in the last 16.

Meanwhile, Iran will head into their final group game with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday reflecting on an opportunity missed, and knowing that only victory will be enough to extend their tournament.

Argentina unsurprisingly dictated the opening stages without creating any clear-cut opportunities against an Iran defence that displayed the same determination as against Nigeria.

Gonzalo Higuain was the first to test the Iran backline after 13 minutes, but goalkeeper Alireza Haghigi showed quick reactions to race out and block the Napoli striker's effort after he had been played through by Fernando Gago.

Higuain was involved again as he linked up with Sergio Aguero inside the area, only to see the Manchester City man's curling effort brilliantly kept out by a fine diving save from Haghigi.

Aguero then headed wide from a corner as Argentina's dominance of play continued, yet Iran, with impressive commitment and organisation, did not have too much difficulty in keeping the South Americans at bay.

Iran's ability to maintain parity also owed much to Argentina's profligacy, which was demonstrated in the 35th minute when defender Ezequiel Garay headed a Messi free kick over the crossbar.

Queiroz's men were able to fashion some first-half opportunities of their own, the best of which came after 41 minutes as centre-back Jalal Hosseini turned Ashkan Dejagah's corner narrowly wide of the post.

Pablo Zabaleta went close from the edge of the area in the opening stages of the second half, but it was Iran who continued to look more threatening.

Indeed, they would have taken the lead in the 53rd minute had forward Reza Ghoochannejhad not directed his header straight at Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero following a fine break.

Iran felt they should have been awarded a penalty a minute later after Zabaleta appeared to bring down Dejagah, with replays suggesting that the South Americans had been given a let-off.

At the other end, Messi failed to find a finish after surging forward with an archetypal run from midfield and curling wide of the post.

With time running out, Romero was called into action to tip Dejagah's header over and Iran had an even better chance when Ghoochannejhad was sent clear one-on-one but saw his somewhat tired finish parried.

But just as they looked set to celebrate their famous point, Messi struck.

The Barcelona man worked space on the edge of the area before opening his body to bend a shot into the corner, as Argentina's class – and more accurately that of their captain – finally told.

Match Highlights


Argentina vs. Iran
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