Argentina 1 Vs Iceland 1: Iceland Hold Argentina To Draw As Messi Misses Penalty!

World Cup debutants, Iceland hold Argentina to a 1-1 draw in Group D opener at the Spartak Stadium.

Lionel Messi’s bid to win the World Cup is now doubtful after first 90 minute that saw him miss a crucial penalty in Russia. The Barcelona has 11 shots, but none of the strikes could make it pass Iceland goalkeeper, Hannes Halldorsson.

Halldorsson who was voted Man of the Match, said: “For me as a goalkeeper to play for Iceland and face the best player in the world (Messi) at a penalty is a big moment and a dream come true to save it, especially as it helped us get a big point which I hope is going to prove important to us. It is our goal to qualify. “I did some homework. This was a situation which I knew could come up. I looked at a lot of penalties from Messi and had a good feeling that he would go this way today.”

Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero put Argentina ahead with a superb strike after 19 minutes before Icelenad’s Alfred Finnbogason equalised from the rebound after Willy Caballero had fumbled a shot. Finnbogason’s shot is his country’s first goal at a World Cup finals. Messi’s fans watched the opener with high hopes of seeing the “G.O.A.T” do magic after his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo started this summer’s campaign with a sensational hat-trick against Spain on Friday night.

“To evaluate and characterise Lionel Messi’s work is difficult because it was an uncomfortable match for him,” said Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli. “Iceland played very defensively, blocking all spaces but we did everything we could to win. Leo is very committed to Argentina.” Argentina play Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod on 21 June, while Iceland take on Nigeria in Volgograd the following day.

Photo Credit: Getty

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