Having already bettered his last World Cup with a nerve-easing first goal in Argentina’s opener, captain Lionel Messi should lead his countrymen to an easy win against the unheralded Iran in Belo Horizonte this evening.
Argentina started with a five-man defence in their 2-1 defeat of Bosnia but coach Alejandro Sabella should toss off the shackles and start with the players’ preferred 4-3-3 against one of the tournament’s most limited teams.
That tactical switch during the Bosnia game freed up Messi, and others in Argentina’s “Fab Four” attackers, enabling the four-times world player of the year to score a dazzling goal that was his first at a World Cup in eight years.
Iran may take heart from history, though.
In their sole prior meeting, Iran did secure a 1-1 draw with Argentina over 90 minutes during a 1977 match in Madrid – albeit they then lost on penalties in a low-key mini-tournament to celebrate Real Madrid’s 75th anniversary.
Asia’s best-ranked side at 43rd in the FIFA standings, Iran showed their vaunted defensive abilities in a 0-0 opening draw against Nigeria in Group F.
That game brought jeers from Brazilian spectators otherwise gorged on goals in the tournament, but delighted Iran who earned their first World Cup clean sheet, and only sixth ever point, in four World Cup appearances since 1978.
If Argentina win today, they will top Group F on six points and guarantee passage to the last 16.
Messi, desperate for a World Cup on his otherwise glittering resumè with Barcelona, admitted he was nervous before the first game.
“That’s how we have to carry on, like the second half (vs Bosnia), we feel more comfortable that way,” he said.
“We have more chances to pass, the four of us go out all guns blazing.”
Bosnia’s first
For Bosnia, a victory at the World Cup finals would be another first with African champions Nigeria in their sights at the Pantanal Arena tonight.
One of the many splinter nations of the former Yugoslavia, who were a soccer power in their day, they may be newcomers on the sport’s biggest stage but naivete is not a part of their make-up.
Coach Safet Susic is targeting a place in the next round at the expense of a Nigeria side who appear in the process of disappointing again as they did at two previous finals this century.
Bosnia put Argentina under pressure on their debut on Sunday after giving away an early own goal and scored a smart consolation through substitute Vedad Ibisevic, the nation’s first World Cup goal.
Those who believe the weather can have an impact on matches will be expecting Nigeria to be the more comfortable side in the heat of Cuiaba, a city in the very middle of South America where average winter temperatures are in the higher 20s Celsius.
But Bosnia showed against Argentina that they are a compact and disciplined unit and if they play patiently they should upset Nigeria, whose potential has fallen since the talented side of the 1990s reached the second round twice and won Olympic gold.
Nigeria lost defender Godfrey Oboabona to injury against Iran with Joseph Yobo, a veteran of the 2002 and 2010 finals, set to replace him.