Belo Horizonte: Lionel Messi’s magical left-foot produced another inspirational goal as Argentina managed a 1-0 win over gritty Iran in a Group F game of the World Cup here on Saturday.
With some of the most dogged defending that has been witnessed in this edition, the Iranians nearly pulled off a memorable draw before the Albiceleste skipper produced a precision left-footer that curled past goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, who had been brilliant under the bar.
With six points from two games, Argentina are well on course for a berth in the Round of 16, although their dependance on Messi and the failure of the other forwards is becoming increasingly evident.
Iran predictably employed the ultra-defensive tactic by keeping at least seven players in their own defensive third, which frustrated the Argentine forwards Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero, even though the South American side enjoyed 75 percent of possession.
Messi was always under double guard, which kept him quiet save a few dead ball situations. His curling direct free kick in the 32nd minute went over the horizontal.
The first time that the Barcelona striker could really threaten was at the stroke of the hour when he sprinted down the middle and his left-footed placement using the instep was at least a foot away from the near post.
He took a number of corner kicks and free kicks but, much to the dismay of the partisan crowd, failed to get the winner.
Whenever Messi had the ball in his possession, there was a trail of red shirts following him.
Defensive midfielder Andranik Timotian should be credited for keeping the Argentina talisman quiet by playing the role of a spoiler in the middle third.
With Diego Maradona watching from the stands, the Alibiceleste could not find a chink in the Iran defence in the first 45 minutes.
Having gained confidence by keeping Argentina at bay, Iran started hitting the opposition defence on counters in the second half with Mascherano not exactly inspiring the highest level of confidence.
In the 66th minute Ashkan Dejagah nearly got Iran a goal but Romero spectacularly tipped it over crossbar, denying the Fulham man what would have probably been his most memorable goal in the World Cup.
Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella ultimately changed both his frontmen – Aguero and Higuain – during the final quarter with Palacio and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Palacio got into the act in the 83rd minute when his header was parried away by Haghighi.
In the 86th minute, Ghoochannejhad pouched on a counter ball and beat Mascherano for pace but his placement wasn’t powerful enough with Romero effecting a diving save. (PTI)