Messi’s second half saved penalty meant Argentina had to settle with just a point against Iceland in the opening match of Group D. The teams traded blows in the opening minutes but Sergio Aguero got Argentina’s World Cup underway with a 19th minute strike. Messi fired a low ball to the Manchester City forward who turned and struck the ball from behind him into the roof of the net. While Argentina looked more fluid between the midfield and attack, there was a soft defence which Iceland knew they could expose. A series of low crosses were flapped away by Willy Caballero and the ball eventually fell to Alfred Finnbogason who was well placed to tap the ball in from close range.
Here’s what Argentina learned in Moscow:
1. Messi’s messy penalty record
When Maximiliano Meza was fouled in the box by Hodur Magnusson, the world’s eyes turned on Messi who had the chance to give Argentina a 63rd minute lead from the spot. The pressure was high given Argentina had struggled to create good goal scoring chances, even great given Cristiano Ronaldo’s epic hat-trick the previous night. The Argentina captain stepped up and struck the penalty slightly to the left and at a good height for Hannes Halldorsson to reach across and deny Messi. The miss from 12 yards brings Messi’s penalty record to an unimpressive four scored and four missed in 2017/18.
2. Argentina are already missing Sergio Romero
Manchester United’s Sergio Romero was Argentina’s goalkeeper of choice during their qualifying matches but was ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury, meaning Willy Caballero, who has never played a competitive match for Argentina, started in his place. Caballero’s command of his penalty area was less than impressive and his poor handling led to Iceland’s first half equaliser. He failed to control two low crosses and the second attempted clearance fell to Finnbogason, who had the simple task of scoring into an open net. Franco Armani and Mahuel Guzman are Jorge Sampaoli’s alternatives should he want to withdraw Caballero against Croatia or Nigeria.
3. Icleand still pack a punch
Iceland’s swift counter attacks became a feature of the 2016 European Championship, almost as their infamous clap which was also on show. The speed and direct nature of their attacking moves had Argentina scrambling back and struggling to pick up runners. As well as counter attacks and clapping, Iceland’s long throw was also a great threat. Aron Gunnarsson’s eyes lit up each time Argentina cleared the ball touch anywhere in their final third, what followed was the usual chaos the Cardiff City midfielder’s enormous launches cause. The 2016 European Championship quarter-finalists will take a lot of confidence into their games against Nigeria and Croatia as they bid to qualify from their group in their first ever World Cup.