Argentina face Iran in an attempt to seal their passage into the Round of 16.
Where to watch –
The match kicks off at 12 PM EST/9 AM PST, and for viewers currently in the United States, this is where you can catch the game –
English language: ESPN and WatchESPN
Spanish language: Univision, Univision Deportes Network and Univision online
Portuguese language: ESPN Deportes
Referee –
Milorad Mazic (Serbia)
Starting lineups –
Argentina XI: Romero; Fernández, Garay, Zabaleta, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di María; Agüero, Messi, Higuaín.
Iran XI: Haghighi; Hosseini, Sadeghi, Montazeri, Pooladi; Shojaei, Nekounam, Teymourian, Dejagah, Ghoochannejhad; Hajsafi
Argentina –
Argentina fans were treated to some masterclass by their maestro Lionel Messi who scored one of his trademark goals against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their first match and helped clinch the 3 points for them. Laden in attack, the South American giants will be hoping to score a few more against Iran today.
Iran –
They played out a 0-0 draw against Nigeria and remain 2nd in the table behind Argentina. A draw for them today would indeed be a very good result.
Statistics –
Argentina carved out as many as 10 goal scoring chances and managed to score twice. That will give them more confidence against a relatively weaker Iran outfit, and they will be hoping to bag a few more today.
Iran were wasteful in front of goal against Nigeria as despite creating 7 chances, failed to dispatch any of them away. They will be hoping and praying for a better showing from their attackers this time around.
Men to watch out for –
Messi spells as the obvious danger man, and the Barcelona superstar will again create havoc on the Iranian defense. Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah, who had a below par game against Nigeria, is Iran’s best hope of having any sort of impact.
Prediction –
With Messi looking revitalized after his goal, he will be raring to make it two goals in two matches, and with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria to support him, I expect a slew of goals for Argentina.
Argentina 4-0 Iran
