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

[ringwoodrob]

Now shoot please

[noikeee]

Surely time for Messi to bag a freekick goal?

[georginho_juventusygr]

Messi dives.

[ringwoodrob]

Come on we need a goal

[Noob21]

Think a corner or FK is the only way anyone will score against Iran

[Noob21]

Someone stopped Messi, sign him up "insert your club manager here"

[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.

By the way, if Messi gives his shirt, he'll not get any Iranian shirt in return. For financial reasons, Iran don't exchange shirts.

[noikeee]

If people didn't hate Iran for erm, various political reasons, they might start hating them past this World Cup. F**k off Queiroz, stop ruining World Cup matches.

[Noob21]

Garay you tooth fairy

[craigcwwe]

Should have scored there Garay.

[Noob21]

Someone stopped Messi, sign him up "insert your club manager here"

Apparently it was Andranik, former Bolton, Fulham (one match ) and Barnsley

[Noob21]

Bring back Julio Cruz and Crespo and pump the balls better

[PMLF]

If people didn't hate Iran for erm, various political reasons, they might start hating them past this World Cup. F**k off Queiroz, stop ruining World Cup matches.

Iran playing in a smart way though, they have no chance to win if they try to play an attacking game as they will just be exposed and end up conceding. This way at least they frustrate the other team and maybe can score in a counterattack.

[Chr1s Lawson]

Andy Townsend actually said something that makes sense. Encourage Iran to leave the edge of their 18 yard box and Argentina might be able to get in behind!

[aderow]

Iran playing in a smart way though, they have no chance to win if they try to play an attacking game as they will just be exposed and end up conceding. This way at least they frustrate the other team and maybe can score in a counterattack.

Absolutely nothing wrong with how they are playing.

[ringwoodrob]

Come on score

[Noob21]

Iran playing in a smart way though, they have no chance to win if they try to play an attacking game as they will just be exposed and end up conceding. This way at least they frustrate the other team and maybe can score in a counterattack.

Unlike Costa Rica, Iran has no counterattack game or anything for that matter. It's simply come back come with 3 points plan

[PMLF]

Absolutely nothing wrong with how they are playing.

Indeed, they are playing how they should, too many party-like games in the World Cup already, nice seeing one team (and not one of the big ones) that can do proper defending.

[craigcwwe]

0-0 at HT.

Didn't see that coming.

[PMLF]

Unlike Costa Rica, Iran has no counterattack game or anything for that matter. It's simply come back come with 3 points plan

They can get a chance via set pieces but even if they don't even have any chance at all to score, not losing is way better than losing, so this is how they should be playing.

[Pangaea]

Got 0-0 written all over it.

Oh well, I'm right so far at least, but like the last match I expect Argentina to find holes in the second half when legs are more tired.

Fairly impressed by Iran so far though. Not toothless in attack either, at least on set pieces, and they're doing fairly okay containing Argentina. Still holes though, but Argentina haven't been precise enough in the final third to take advantage. Yet.

[TM]

from what I've read, I thought Messi was playing behind the two strikers in qualifiers and they had found his place to make the team better

so why revert to a 4-3-3 in the Finals? I know it's probably him but it seems a bit stupid when it was working

[sean_oc16]

With the players Argentina have you would expect one of them to be able to provide a bit of magic and pull out something special at some point and that may be what it takes to get the breakthrough, Iran doing well so far.

[Gorando]

Reminds me of Belgium-Algeria

[Pangaea]

from what I've read, I thought Messi was playing behind the two strikers in qualifiers and they had found his place to make the team better

so why revert to a 4-3-3 in the Finals? I know it's probably him but it seems a bit stupid when it was working

Messi was crying about the team not being sufficiently set up around him, so they changed.

[gillsminnow]

Iran are such a dull team.

[av3ry]

Rubbish first half, lets hope Argentina turn up in the second half.

[dafuge]

Credit to Iran for defending well, but it is terrible to watch.

[Bootador]

Not at all impressed by Argentina here, square pegs into round holes.

[noikeee]

Iran playing in a smart way though, they have no chance to win if they try to play an attacking game as they will just be exposed and end up conceding. This way at least they frustrate the other team and maybe can score in a counterattack.

I know, it still sucks to watch and Queiroz is still a muppet.

[noikeee]

from what I've read, I thought Messi was playing behind the two strikers in qualifiers and they had found his place to make the team better

so why revert to a 4-3-3 in the Finals? I know it's probably him but it seems a bit stupid when it was working

I've read they been playing 4-3-3 with Messi on the right most of the time, so basically this is the plan A that we're watching. It's just that playing against a massive bus is always frustrating regardless of how good you are.

[PMLF]

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

Do you mean this one:

That's his daughter Giannina.

I know, it still sucks to watch and Queiroz is still a muppet.

If I supported a small team (not the case as I support Flamengo) I would love to have him managing that team!

[TM]

not really sure what a defensive midfield like Gago and Mascherano is going to create for the attack

they lack a younger Riquelme or somebody who could bring creativity to that midfield

[Razzler]

Jeez, Argies, you can't get a much easier group. Sort yourselves out!

I am sure they will break through eventually but not impressing again. If they're not careful they'll inherit Italy's 'growing into the tournament' tag

[Pangaea]

Riquelme would obviously be great, and the same with Veron.

Holy mother that was close for Iran.

[craigcwwe]

Thought Iran had scored there.

Good play that.

[Razzler]

... and that was a decent chance for Iran there!

[Andrew_]

Iran

[Noob21]

Best chance for the Iranians

[PMLF]

Great chance for Iran there, they will regret not having scored.

[dan99]

Can't believe Aguero didn't score that.

Great counter attack by Iran though.

[ringwoodrob]

should be 1 up

[aderow]

Come on Iran

[Noob21]

not really sure what a defensive midfield like Gago and Mascherano is going to create for the attack

they lack a younger Riquelme or somebody who could bring creativity to that midfield

Well any creative midfielder would clash with Messi who prefers to drop deep and control the ball

[aderow]

Dejagah needs to stay calm there.

[Pangaea]

Damn. Iran should have had penalty there in all honestly.

[aderow]

That probably should've been a penalty

[martplfc1]

Stonewall...in slow motion from 4 angles

[jmr]

That lookd like a penalty on the replay but you can see why it wasn't given.

[dafuge]

I thought he got the ball first time, but that looks like a penalty on the replay.