Messi misses penalty as Argentina draw 1-1 with Iceland: World Cup 2018 Group D

Iceland, for many the heroes of Euro 2016, made headlines again in their first ever World Cup finals match, holding Argentina to a 1-1 in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow in Group D. Argentina, with huge pressure to go all the way in the tournament and give Messi the world crown so many feel his career deserve, started brightly and utterly dominated possession, although a brain freeze in defence early on nearly let Bjarnason in for an unlikely Iceland opener. But it was, as expected Argentina who scored the opener, with Agüero swivelling absolutely wonderfully in the box and lashing home into the top corrner to make the Argentina pressure pay.

But what happened next was only in the Iceland script, as four minutes later the Nordic side battered their way into the Argentinean box, and with the defence at sixes and sevens and Willy Caballero badly positioned, Finnbogason fired the ball home from close range. 1-1.

Argentina spent the rest of the game looking for the inspiration to find a way through the Icelandic ranks, but there was always another white-clad body ready to throw themselves into the line of fire and prevent whatever magic Messi and his cohorts were trying.

Messi penalty saved

Sampaoli's side's big chance came when Agüero went down under pressure chasing a high ball into the box and ref Marciniak pointed to the spot. Messi stepped up, but was left aghast as Hannes Thor Halldorsson got across well to his right and saved.

Argentina continued to press for a winner, with Iceland running and running and running to plug the gaps, and occasionally trying to hit their illustrious opponents on the break, but the scoreboard was to remain untroubled and the spoils were shared. Another historic result for Iceland, and a major headache for Messi, Sampaoli and the whole Argentina squad.

Argentina v Iceland: how it happened

Argentina v Iceland: teams

Argentina

Willy Caballero, Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico, Mascherano, Biglia, Meza, Di María, Messi and Kun Agüero.

Iceland

Argentina v Iceland: preview

Argentina get their campaign underway against World Cup debutants Iceland, who warmed the hearts of nearly every football fan (maybe not England fans, to be honest) with their superb showing at Euro 2016.

Argentina

Jorge Sampaoli’s side seem convinced they’re going to go deep into the tournament in Russia, and the coach himself drew some criticism for being overconfident as he named his XI a day early, though he knocked back claims of underestimating Iceland.

Willy Caballero will start between the sticks, Salvio on the right, Mascherano, Biglia and Meza in the midfield and Kun Agüero up front.

And of course the Albiceleste’s hopes and dreams rest, to a great extent, on the shoulders of Leo Messi, the stand out star of this side, seeking the World crown he’s so desperate to land.

Since March, Argentina have played three games, beating Italy 2-0, being thrashed by Spain in the Wanda in Madrid 6-0 and beating Haiti (no real surprises there) 4-0.

Iceland

Iceland arrive in Russia as, in theory, the weakest team in Group D, but as they showed in the Euros this tightly bonded team know how to win.

In the qualifying phase Heimir Hallgrímsson men finished top of their group, ahead of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey, although in their recent friendlies they’ve struggled, losing to Mexico, Peru and Norway, and drawing their final match, against Norway, though as a positive they came back from being 2-0 down at half-time.

Keep an eye on Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Everton midfielder is the man who holds it all together for the Icelanders. Also keep an eye on the fans, and their legendary thunderclap.