Argentina 1 - Iran 0

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Argentina were looking for a victory to secure their spot in the next phase. Their opponents on this Belo Horizonte afternoon were Iran. In a danger moment for Iran, their goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi had to come off his line to block a first-time attempt from the inrushing Gonzalo Higuain after a curled low cross from Fernando Gago. Haghighi took a heavy hit but stayed in he match. Sergio Aguero was next to force a save from Haghighi after nice hold-up play from Higuain with his back to the goal. There was a lot of great team defense on display in the first half from Iran. Seemingly every time Argentina went forward, every Iranian player ran back, fully committed to put his body on the line for a timely block or poke away. With under five minutes to go, Iran nearly scored off a set piece, the only way they ever seemed likely to get on the scoreboard. Ashkan Dejagah's corner kick found Jalal Hosseini at the near post, but he powered his header over the target. The first half ended scoreless.

Against the run of play, Team Melli nearly grabbed the opener. A free cross from the right by Pejman Montazeri found the head of Reza Ghoochannejhad (pictured, red), but Ghoochannejhad's head was messily saved by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero. It appeared that Dejagah had a good argument for being awarded a penalty for Iran after Argentine right back Pablo Zabaleta tripped him as he tried to win the ball, but the referee did not see the lay Dejagah's way. Iran were suddenly the more dangerous side for a good ten-minute stretch starting ten minutes into the second half, but Argentina were able to weather the storm. Montazeri played yet another beautiful cross just beyond the penalty spot, and Dejagah was able to get a diving header to it. However, a leaping tip over the bar from Romero managed to keep Argentina level. Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi nearly turned in a twenty-yard free kick as he caught Haghighi leaning the wrong way, but his effort missed just wide. Argentina had regained control of the match by the final ten minutes, and Iran were desperately defending for their lives. Hosseini made a great sliding stop to break up an attempted cross inside his own six-yard box. However, Ghoochannejhad nearly scored on a breakaway after Alireza Jahan Bakhsh sent him a deep through ball around Javier Mascherano. With Mascherano hanging on his right side Ghoochannejhad managed to get a fine shot away, but Romero was able to make the diving stop. In stoppage time, a moment of brilliance from Messi won the match. From twenty-three yards away and with a forward marking him, Messi curled a brilliant strike to the far post to send Argentina to victory. Argentina win 1-0 to secure their passage to the knockout stage.

Argentina IN 6 pts +2
Nigeria 1 pts 0
Iran 1 pts -1
Bosnia 0 pts -1

Goals
Argentina
Lionel Messi 90+1

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