Lionel Messi scored a goal in second-half stoppage time to give Argentina a 1-0 victory over Iran in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Saturday and a place in the second round of the World Cup.
Iran had a solid defense in the game and took the match to Argentina in the second half, creating several chances to win the match in Group F.
But Iran was punished for those missed chances when Messi picked up the ball about 20 yards out and curled a shot into the left corner.
It was a moment of individual brilliance by Messi. Up until that point, he had been kept quiet by Iran's defense, while Argentina had at times been exposed to counterattacks.
Iran had several chances to score, especially in the second half. The best of those opportunities came in the 67th minute, when midfielder Ashkan Dejagah's powerful header from close range was tipped over the bar by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
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Earlier, Reza Ghoochannejhad's header from close range was saved by Romero after a cross from the right flank.
It almost looked as if Argentina Coach Alejandro Sabella's decision to return to an attacking lineup would backfire. In Argentina's 2-1 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Group F opener, Sabella started with a more defensive 5-3-2 lineup with only two strikers.
In the second half of that game, he changed to a 4-3-3 formation — a system favored by Messi — and he continued with that scheme Saturday.
2014 WORLD CUP
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