FIFA World Cup 2014: Argentina 1-0 Iran - Five Talking Points

Lionel Messi broke Iranian hearts by scoring the games deciding goal in injury time to ensure a 1-0 victory for Argentina over Iran. It was a thoroughly gripping, if slightly uneventful game that was a battle between one side who defended deep and another who were determined to break them down. In the end, the attack prevailed and Argentina got their win.Here are five talking points from a thoroughly absorbing contest.

#1 Argentina enjoyed plenty of possession but very little penetration

For much of the game it looked as Argentina’s attacking flair was going to be stifled by Iran’s disciplined defence. Even with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, Argentina found it difficult to break down a stubborn Iranian defence. Although they enjoyed plenty of possession, they managed to do precious little with it.

Their play with the ball was slow and laboured and lacked any real urgency. It almost looked as though the Argentineans were looking for a moment of inspiration or a piece of individual brilliance to break down the packed Iranian defence. And the few chances they did create, was spurned by the two strikers Higuain and Aguero, who both had an off day. Thankfully for Argentina, one swish of Messi’s left boot spared his side’s blushes and sealed qualification to the Round of 16.

#2 Irans plan almost worked to perfection

Before the start of the game, few gave Iran a chance. But coach Carlos Queiroz is arguably the perfect man to have if you want to mastermind a defensive master class. What was evident from the start is that Iran had a plan: defend. In the first half, it was the kind of backs to the wall, tackles flying, closing down and hunting in pairs defence that would have pleased Jose Mourinho.

In the second half however, Iran turned to a different plan. While they still continued to defend in numbers, they started to counter attack in numbers as well. Once Iran got the ball, they started to attack with far more precision than the Argentineans. And if it weren’t for some brilliant keeping from Argentine keeper Romero, Iran might just have come away with a famous victory over Argentina. In the end, it wasn’t be as they let their guard slip for just a moment and the opportunity was seized on by the South Americans who scored in stoppage time to cruelly deny the Iranians the point that they deserved.

#3 Misfiring strikers almost cost Argentina the game

A strike force of Higuain and Aguero with Messi just behind, means that the side is unlikely to struggle for goals. But, against Iran that is precisely what happened as neither Aguero nor Higuain had a game to remember and almost ended up costing their side two valuable points. Whether it was the heat, the atmosphere inside the stadium or the disciplined Iranian defence, something drowned the effects of both strikers, who were both coming off the back of successful seasons for their respective clubs.

Against Iran, neither Aguero nor Higuain looked like scoring, with Higuaín being particularly guilty after he missed a glorious chance after he was put through on goal after just 13 minutes on the clock. Barring Aguero’s 21st minute strike which was palmed away by the Iranian goalkeeper, neither striker managed to trouble the Iranian goal at all. And it wasn’t just the strikers too, even Garay who came from the back for a set piece hit over the bar from close range. It looked like it wasn’t going to be Argentina’s day in attack, but eventually their pressure told and they scored to snatch a stoppage-time win over the mightily impressive Iran.

#4 Romero proves his worth to the side

So far this World Cup has been a good one for goalkeepers. Not only is the ball moving far less than previous ones, the tournament has already seen some spectacular goalkeeping performances and this game just saw two more. Although Iran’s keeper Haghighi was called into action far more often than his counterpart Romero, it was the latter who impressed one and all with his performance against Iran.

Going into the tournament, Romero was considered as one of the weak links in the Argentine line up which was filled with stars. But it was Romero’s crucial saves from Ashkan Dejagah and a couple from Reza Ghoochannejhad, including one very late in the game that kept his side in the contest. Romero displayed superhuman levels of concentration as he was kept his cool every time Iran came forward. If he keeps up his performances, he will undoubtedly be the foundation from which this team can build on.

#5 Will this be Messi\'s World Cup?

All the talk prior to the World Cup was about whether Lionel Messi could finally replicate his club form for his country. Although he had won everything there was to win at club level, the World Cup still remained a distant dream. In fact, Messi had only scored once in his two previous World Cups before boarding the plane to Brazil.

Although it has just been two games, it already looks as though this might be the World Cup he makes his own. Argentina finally have a settled side that isn’t lopsided. A defence that isn’t filled with big names, but one that can defend when called up on and an attack that is the envy of many.

And top it all, they have Messi. The player who scored the crucial second against Bosnia and one who was instrumental in breaking the deadlock and winning against Iran as well. Messi has already doubled his World Cup goal tally in the space of two games and more importantly was there when his team needed him most, which begs the question, will this be Messi’s World Cup?