Match 27: Argentina vs Iran, 5 p.m. BST

[georginho_juventusygr]

vs

Venue:

Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, Belo Horizonte

Referee:

Milorad Mažić (Serbia)

Assistant referees: Milovan Ristić (Serbia) and Dalibor Đurđević (Serbia)

Fourth official: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

Fifth official: Aden Range (Kenya)

Blabs from http://www.bbc.com:

Argentina are expected to revert to a 4-3-3 formation, with striker Gonzalo Higuain in line to be recalled to the starting line-up.

Fernando Gago is also likely to start, with Maxi Rodriguez and Hugo Campagnaro set to drop to the substitutes' bench.

Javier Mascherano will win his 100th cap, becoming the fourth Argentine to reach the landmark.

Iran could name the same team which drew with Nigeria, with Charlton's Reza Ghoochannejhad their lone striker.

[georginho_juventusygr]

Poll is up.

[Hoarau]

I feel this could be the highest scoring game of the tournament.. Tempted to jump to William hill and stick £20 on 5 or more goals.

[RubenJ]

Not too sure about that. Has the potential, but Iran digging themselves in could also make for a boring match.

[pearcey_90]

Yea going to be a proper double decker parked bus. Going 2-0 Argentina.

[Pukey]

Messi

Don't know why people argue over who's better between him and Ronaldo tbh. They're the two best I've ever seen, just enjoy it.

[ringwoodrob]

This could be very entertaining!

[TM]

amazing to think that Fernando Gago is still only 28, seems to have been around for years

[RubenJ]

Messi

Don't know why people argue over who's better between him and Ronaldo tbh. They're the two best I've ever seen, just enjoy it.

Was expecting that second sentence to be "it's not even close".

[craigcwwe]

Going for a 5-0 win for Argentina.

Of course Iran are going to park the bus for the duration of the match though.

Still, Messi, Aguero, Higiuan and Di Maria will create chances aplenty.

[pearcey_90]

Viera said Ronaldo. Cue the rumors of him joining City this summer now

[Andrew_]

He's always said Ronaldo.

[Pangaea]

Got 0-0 written all over it.

But the most important thing, who will get Messi's shirt?

Edit: the poll needs a "this poll is ****" option.

[TM]

[georginho_juventusygr]

Got 0-0 written all over it.

But the most important thing, who will get Messi's shirt?

Edit: the poll needs a "this poll is ****" option.

Why is that?

[TM]

what happened to Otamendi in the Argentina team?

definitely in the 2010 squad and he was only about 21 or 22 then

[jep]

On paper that Argentine midfield and attack looks mouthwatering - lets see if they can do it on the pitch.

Expect Iran to park the Aircraft Carrier.

[dafuge]

Hopefully Argentina get an early goal to prevent Iran just sitting back.

[PMLF]

Iran not as weak as supposed to but should be a somewhat comfortable Argentine win.

[gillsminnow]

1-0 win to Argentina, Messi penalty.

[georginho_juventusygr]

Iranian girl!

[PMLF]

Good the Argentine players stay composed during the anthem instead of crying like Neymar, Thiago Silva, etc..

[FaceCrusher]

what happened to Otamendi in the Argentina team?

definitely in the 2010 squad and he was only about 21 or 22 then

Very poor season. But he is better than Fernandez imo.

[Jeroen Thijssen]

Should normally be plain sailing for Argentina, but you never know!

[aiston]

Di Maria loves a bit of a play-act.

[PMLF]

Very poor season. But he is better than Fernandez imo.

Otamendi also was nothing special at Atlético Mineiro.

[TM]

Very poor season. But he is better than Fernandez imo.

I remember him being a bit dodgy in the 4-0 loss Argentina suffered to Germany in South Africa so I thought it was just a case of Maradona liked him but the current manager didn't

[ringwoodrob]

wow great ball

[Noob21]

So close for Higuain, Iran is keeping six to seven players in the box so it's extremely difficult to penetrate

[Chr1s Lawson]

Thought Higuain might have touched that round the keeper!

[FaceCrusher]

I remember him being a bit dodgy in the 4-0 loss Argentina suffered to Germany in South Africa so I thought it was just a case of Maradona liked him but the current manager didn't

He was gradually dropped from the team since 2010. His recent bad form didn't help his chances.

[Chr1s Lawson]

Think Fernandez is pretty decent plus he's young.

[aiston]

Awful control there, screwing up Argentine counter attack.

[Chr1s Lawson]

Terrible first touch in the box.

[Noob21]

Is the girl next to Maradona his daughter or a playdate?

Terrible touch from Higi but I guess the ball and pitch are responsible too

[aderow]

Nicely done there ref

[Noob21]

Sneaky Persians

[aiston]

That shot, wow.

[ringwoodrob]

Brill move

[craigcwwe]

Good save that.

[PMLF]

Surely a matter of time before Argentina score, even if Iran's goalie turns out to be an Ochoa.

[Chr1s Lawson]

Maradona got his arm around Aguero's wife.

[Noob21]

So close Kun, and now Rojo

[Noob21]

Maradona got his arm around Aguero's wife.

Is it her? Google has pictures but she looks a bit different

Anyway they're "separated"

[aiston]

Iran have completed less than 1 pass a minute.

[georginho_juventusygr]

Agüero should be yellow-carded for that.

[aiston]

Di Maria having another poor game so far, awful control again.

[martplfc1]

Aguero you petulant ****, pick up the corner flag!

[Chr1s Lawson]

I think so, she's got the mole on her cheek. Maradona's daughter anyway!

[Noob21]

Loads of Argentinian girls