A Shining Star in a Messi Team

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Argentina were poor on the day against Iran, but in the end, a shining star emerged in a very messy team. Argentina, with each minute passing by, with each opportunity missing the target, were getting more and more frustrated. Iran, with all 11 men behind the ball at all times, produced a very admirable performance, and it would have been one for the ages. Would have are the key words here. They had held Argentina at bay for 91 minutes before the magic of Messi broke down Iran to tears. In the first half, Argentina missed many chances from set pieces as well as some brilliant saves from the Iranian goalkeeper. In the second half, Iran by far had the better of the chances on the counter attack. Reza headed straight at Romero in the 53rd minute. Then, Iran was wrongly disallowed a penalty, after Zabaleta took down Dejagah in the box, after those 2 were chasing a loose ball. The Argentinians showed glimpses of what they could do after that, but they couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. 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 produced a weak finish. Just as the Iranians looked set to produce, Messi hit the back of the net. Receiving the ball at the edge of the penalty area, Messi shifted onto his left and curled a beauty from 25 yards out, making it a classical Messi goal, as well as his second in the tournament. Iran made it so difficult for Argentina to break them down, clogging the penalty area. If they go deep into the tournament, or at least to the quarterfinals, they will have to play much better. It might be easier at that stage because the teams won't be as defensive, so there will be more space for Argentina and Messi to work with. Until then, Argentina will have to work hard to reach the level they are capable of reaching. On a shining day in Belo Horizonte, there was only one shining star. His name was Lionel Messi.

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