Russia 2018
Iceland thwart Argentina on World Cup debut
(FIFA.com)
16 Jun 2018
- Finnbogason makes Iceland football history
- Argentina star Messi misses penalty
- RELIVE: LIVE BLOG | Post-match press conferences
The action at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium got off to a thrilling start with the match between FIFA World Cup™ veterans Argentina and debutants Iceland. Despite stamping their authority on the game’s opening stages, La Albiceleste struggled to find space against a deep-lying Icelandic defence. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Sergio Aguero fired the ball home on the turn to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. The South Americans’ joy was short-lived, however, as Alfred Finnbogason made history by scoring his country’s first-ever World Cup goal just four minutes later.
Lionel Messi had the biggest opportunity to take the lead in the second half, but his penalty was saved by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson. Although Argentina continued to press for a goal, they were repeatedly denied by the Nordic side’s staunch defensive efforts.
Team reporter analysis
Diego Zandrino, Argentina [Follow: Twitter]
While Argentina proved unable to find a win in their opening match, showed some defensive weaknesses and even missed a penalty, this match also provided plenty of encouragement. The team that took to the pitch were spirited with a clear game plan, despite failing to unlock an extremely compact Iceland defence.
Gallery: Argentina 1-1 Iceland
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Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Hannes Halldorsson of Iceland saves a penalty from Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Serigo Aguero of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Alfred Finnbogason of Iceland celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Serigo Aguero of Argentina shoots and scores his side's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/REMOTE/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Marcos Rojo of Argentina and Alfred Finnbogason of Iceland react during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Aron Gunnarsson of Iceland and Angel Di Maria of Argentina battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Gylfi Sigurdsson and team mate Aron Gunnarsson of Iceland put pressure on Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Alfred Finnbogason of Iceland celebarets scoring his sides first goal to make score 1-1 during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Serigo Aguero of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Tagliafico during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Iceland fans support their side during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Lionel Messi of Argentina before the game vs Iceland
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Lionel Messi of Argentina speaks with a mascot in the tunnel prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Iceland fans support their team inside the stadium prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Iceland team celebrate their side's first goal, scored by Alfred Finnbogason during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Argentina v Iceland: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Iceland is challenged by Javier Mascherano of Argentina
16 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Iceland is challenged by Javier Mascherano of Argentina during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Petur Hreinsson, Iceland [Follow: Twitter]
Iceland’s plan worked to perfection. The tournament newcomers know the kind of football they need to play to achieve their objectives. They have to be compact and unrelenting. The Icelandic players will not get results by playing Argentina’s brand of attacking football. Ahead of the game, Hallgrimsson urged his players not to give Messi any space, and they did this extremely effectively under captain Aron Gunnarsson’s leadership.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Hannes Halldorsson palmed Lionel Messi’s penalty clear in the 64th minute to secure his team an impressive 1-1 draw against favourites Argentina.
The stat
19 – The last Argentina player to wear the No19 shirt at a World Cup before Aguero was Messi on his tournament debut against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.
What’s next?
Argentina - Croatia – Group D, 21 June, Nizhny Novgorod
Nigeria - Iceland – Group D, 22 June, Volgograd
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