Mitch Freeley

You can watch the Live Stream of Argentina Vs Iceland via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

Match Report

Hannes Thor Halldorsson was the hero for Iceland as the goalkeeper's penalty save from Lionel Messi secured his side a sensational 1-1 draw against Argentina.

With Diego Maradona watching on from the stands, Messi failed to convert from the spot in the second half of an eventful Group D opener at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow.

Sergio Aguero had fired the beaten finalists from four years ago ahead in the 19th minute, finally breaking his World Cup duck at the ninth attempt with a rising left-footed drive.

Yet debutants Iceland refused to melt on the main stage, Alfred Finnbogason capitalising on Willy Caballero's weak punch to score his country's maiden goal in the history of the tournament just four minutes later.

Iceland was indebted to Halldorsson for picking up a point, though, as he kept out Messi's spot-kick shortly after the hour mark.

Argentina will hope to inject some impetus into their campaign when they face Croatia in Nizhny on Thursday, while Iceland go up against Nigeria in Volgograd the following day.

After Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning display for Portugal against Spain in Sochi less than 24 hours earlier, all eyes were on rival Messi in the Russian capital.

The Argentina captain was twice denied by Halldorsson from distance in the first half, but Aguero did find a way to beat the Iceland goalkeeper.

The Manchester City forward seized on team-mate Marcos Rojo's wayward shot, controlling the off-target effort inside the penalty area before sending a fierce shot into the net.

Argentina's opener arrived after a glaring miss at the other end, the late-arriving Birkir Bjarnason carelessly pushing a side-footed effort wide of the target when the ball had broken kindly into his path.

However, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side were undeterred by the setback of conceding first. Finnbogason was on hand to make history for his country, knocking home a rebound after Caballero had carelessly parried a low cross straight to the Augsburg forward.

With their lead disappearing in a hurry, Argentina set about trying to find a second goal against determined opponents.

They were gifted the chance to go ahead again when Hordur Magnusson's clumsy push on Maximiliano Meza was spotted by referee Szymon Marciniak without the aid of technology.

Yet Halldorsson guessed correctly, diving to his right to frustrate Messi, meaning the Barcelona star has now missed four of his last seven attempts from the spot for club and country.

The keeper also produced a late save to keep out an attempt from substitute Cristian Pavon as Iceland – who also drew 1-1 with eventual winners Portugal in their Euro 2016 opener – held on to clinch another famous result in their footballing history.

Live Updates

Goals & Highlights

Messi tries to make amends with a freekick. 

Messi misses a penalty for Argentina!

 Alfreð Finnbogason equalises for Iceland! Their first ever goal at a World Cup

Argentina take the lead! Sergio Agüero with a lovely finish

Right! The Players are marching out! Game time for Leo Messi! You can watch the stream of the game Live via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

How about a quick slice of news before Argentina Vs Iceland. Plenty of reaction ahead of the final two games of the day, along with an interesting line from our Arabic studio guest a certain Zlatan Ibrahimović. 

#WorldCup News:@Ibra_official questions Deschamp's decision to leave @Benzema out of the #FRA squad. #beINRussia #beINFWC pic.twitter.com/jaHRXqBYZa — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 16, 2018

Team News! We have the team news in! No surprises really, Leo Messi starts for Argentina and is joined by a host of stars including Angel Di Maria. Maximiliano Meza gets a start on the wing. As for Iceland, Gylfi Sigurdsson starts along with Aron Gunnarsson who has shaken off an injury to start in his counties first ever World Cup game.

The matches keep on coming!

Next up: #ARGISL pic.twitter.com/gbtQB307a6 — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2018

Hello! Welcome to the Live Updates of Argentina Vs Iceland. Can Leo Messi match the hat-trick scored by eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo? Whilst this is the first ever match for Iceland in the World Cup. So plenty of rich narrative heading into the game in Moscow. I will share out the team news once I get it! 

Preview

Two-time World Champions Argentina kick-start their World Cup campaign against debutants Iceland, in what promises to be a tough opening game for La Albiceleste. The game is taking place at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. As ever you can watch the Live match stream via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

Argentina scrapped their way to World Cup qualification, confirming their place in Russia on the final match-day of South American qualification. Leo Messi came up with a hat-trick against Ecuador to seal the 2010 runners-up at the tournament. 

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La Albiceleste boss Jorge Sampaoli is no stranger to international football having guided Chile 2015 Copa America glory. The former Sevilla boss is now charged with managing one of the most gifted attacking sides in the tournament and will be looking to strike a balance in the side which could see them go one step further of losing 2010 final and winning a third World Cup. 

Understandably much of the focus will be on Leo Messi to deliver for his national side. Messi, who is Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer will be charged with scoring and creating the goals to push his country deep in the competition. Interestingly, should Argentina reach the final again Messi could become his counties all-time leading appearance maker at a World Cup, edging out a certain Diego Maradona for the honour. 

Argentina Predicted Team

Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Biglia, Mascherano; Meza, Messi, Di Maria; Aguero

 How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT
TV Channel- MAX HD3
Kick-off- 16:00
Stadium- Spartak Stadium, Moscow

As for Iceland, they will be savouring their debut game in the World Cup and the tiny European nation will be eager to test themselves against one of the most successful sides in world football. Strákarnir okkar (Our Boys) impressed in the 2016 European Championships reaching the quarter-finals and wowed the world with their now famous Thunder Clap. A big result against Argentina would set the side up perfectly with games against Nigeria & Croatia in group D. 

Predict your World Cup winner! 

Heimir Hallgrímsson will be coaching his country at a historic first ever World Cup. Hallgrímsson, who was formally a dentist oversaw Iceland's qualification to Russia, beating the likes of Croatia, Turkey and Ukraine on route to the finals.  

Iceland Predicted Team

Halldorsson; Saevarsson, Ingason, Sigurdsson, Magnusson; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason; Sigurdsson; Finnbogason
 

Gylfi Sigurðsson will be the key man for Iceland in their clash against Argentina. The Everton playmaker has been out since March with a knee injury and has been quietly rehabbing ahead of the World Cup. Sigurðsson marked his return with a goal in the 3-2 friendly defeat to Norway, deadly from free-kicks and corners the six-time Iceland player of the year will be hungry to make a big impact for his country. 

English program information

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