BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, (Reuters) – Having already bettered his last World Cup with a nerve-easing first goal in Argentina’s opener, Lionel Messi should lead his countrymen to an easy win against unheralded Iran in Belo Horizonte tomorrow.
Argentina started with a five-man defence in their 2-1 defeat of Bosnia but coach Alejandro Sabella should toss off the shackles and start with the players’ preferred 4-3-3 against one of the tournament’s most limited teams.
That tactical switch during the Bosnia game freed up Messi, and others in Argentina’s “Fab Four” attackers, enabling the four-times world player of the year to score a dazzling goal that was his first at a World Cup in eight years.
“Messi could be the best player in the world – if he was human,” quipped awestruck Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, saying his charges would need a “miracle” to beat Argentina.
Iran may take heart from history, though.
In their sole prior meeting, Iran did secure a 1-1 draw with Argentina over 90 minutes during a 1977 match in Madrid – albeit they then lost on penalties in a low-key mini-tournament to celebrate Real Madrid’s 75th anniversary.
