itsbeautifuloutside

Argentina v Iran

Belo Horizonte, 21st June 2014

Match Report

What a mismatch! Argentina V Iran - this should be a walkover for La Albiceleste. That, at least, was what the bookies and the ITK'ers on TV were telling us. The odds at the bookies had Argentina at 8:1 on!

The footballing Gods disagreed and only the genius of little Lionel in the 91st minute managed to spare the South American’s blushes.

Alex Sabella (or was it Ian Duncan Smith?) looks confidently on.

It was a good match to watch, despite having to tune in to ITV and listen to the inanities of Tyldesley and Townsend - which have been well covered elsewhere. But I must mention Anodyne Andy’s comment on a Di Maria miss ..... “He could’ve done better!” No shit, Sherlock! And so could you, Andy. That from a player I used to like when he played for Saints - although I was probably in a minority back then.

From the start Carlos Queiroz’s team looked quietly confident. They’d been set up to play as a unit and, having some big guys at the back with more in a very defensive midfield not far in front, they kept the Argentinians subdued. Iran got an early freekick which managed to avoid the heads of both Hosseini and the defenders.

Back at the other end, Haghighi got a knock from Higuain who was attempting a shot at goal. It’s that sort of game - backwards and forwards, Argentina, playing tika-taka at times, have the quality; Iran who have those qualities so beloved of Townsend, are doing a ‘grand job’! They were everywhere, blocking in midfield, before galloping upfield themselves to have a shot or two. At halftime, Messi and company had had the bulk of possession but no clear-cut chances. Queiroz’s tactics working very well so far; so much for the experts’ views.

The second half continues much like the first ended. Argentina, it seems, are relying on their undoubted individual quality to fashion a win somehow.... anyhow... anytime. Be patient and we’ll get there must have been IDS’s halftime talk. That wasn’t allowing for any silly errors by his team - which almost undid them on minute 55 when Zabaleta took out a marauding attacker’s legs inside the area. Fortunately for Senor Zabaleta the referee is lenient and looks witheringly at the protesting Iranian players. A few minutes later and the South American defenders get in a right tizzy trying to clear a corner cross; luckily for them Ghoochannejihad can’t quite get clean contact on the ball. Argentina are on the ropes and Iran’s confidence is sky high.

Then Messi, from a free kick, hits the side netting and this gets his teammates focussed again. All except for the passengers (Higuain and Aguero) who are unceremoniously subbed with Lavezzi and Palacio replacing them.

More to’ing and fro’ing by both sides; Iran make a couple of changes and look to be holding on for a draw, a superb result for them, when genius strikes. Messi, in the first of four additional minutes, does what he does best ; receives a pass from Lavezzi, takes three or four steps and curls a beautiful shot into the goal.

What a goal! What a player! IDS looks relieved.

stbaz