Messi stunner sinks Iran

Argentina needed a stoppage time stunner from Lionel Messi to see of a spirited Iran in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
The Barcelona star was kept quiet by the Iranians for large periods, but he found his range two minutes into stoppage time to curl home a terrific effort that ensured Argentina’s place in the knockout stages.
However, the Asian outfit were outstanding and well worthy of a point, which would have been a huge boost to their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
Argentina made hard work of defeating World Cup debutants, Bosnia, in their opening game last week.
But their second group opponents were not handing out any gifts, with Carlos Quieroz’s side digging in for a tough afternoon from the first minute.
And come the second half, they had several great chances to grab the opening goal, as their much-fancied opponents ran out of ideas.
Argentina dominated possession in the opening period, but were unable to break down the superbly organised Iranians.
Iran’s only real chance of the half came in the 41st minute when Jalal Hosseini headed over from a corner after escaping his marker.
The Argentines trooped off a the break, knowing they should have been ahead.
And in the second half, Iran came very close to making them pay.
Charlton striker, Reza Ghoochannejhad, could have given them a shock lead in the 53rd minute, but his close-range header from a decent right-wing cross was well saved by Sergio Romero.
Iran’s Ehsan Hajsafi had an effort deflected wide before Dejagah had a headed effort wonderfully tipped over the crossbar by Romero.
Finally, in the 92nd minute, Messi cut in from the right to bend an effort past the goalkeeper into the far corner to give his side a win they scarcely deserved.