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Lionel Messi misses penalty as Argentina draw 1-1 with Iceland in World Cup

Lionel Messi had a penalty saved as Iceland put in an inspired defensive performance to earn a 1-1 draw against Argentina in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Karzan Sulaivany 2018/06/16 14:43

world World Cup Lionel Messi Iceland Argentina

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Lionel Messi had a penalty saved as Iceland put in an inspired defensive performance to earn a 1-1 draw against Argentina in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Argentina opened the scoring in the 19th minute through striker Sergio Aguero, but Iceland responded in the 23rd through forward Alfred Finnbogason.

The South Americans had a glorious chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the second-half, and many watching expected superstar Messi to score, but the Argentine captain could only watch as Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson saved his spot-kick.

Hallsorsson went on to make a string of imporant saves as his side held on for a crucial draw in a match many expected them to lose.

Argentina’s next match is against Croatia on June 21 before they play Nigeria on June 26. Iceland play Nigeria on June 22 then Croatia on June 26.

In the other Group D match, Croatia defeated Nigeria 2-0 through a first-half own-goal by Oghenekaro Etebo and a second-half Luka Modric penalty.

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (C) shoots a penalty kick during the 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Iceland at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 16, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Juan Mabromata)

Earlier in the day, France scored late to defeat Australia 2-1 in their opening Group C match of the 2018 World Cup.

After a goalless first-half, Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann scored from the penalty spot on 58 minutes before Australia were awarded a penalty of their own four minutes later which Mile Jedinak converted.

With 10 minutes remaining, midfielder Paul Pogba restored the French’s lead which proved to be the winner.

Elsewhere in Group C, Denmark beat Peru 1-0. Christian Cueva failed to give his team the lead after missing a penalty in the first-half before Yussuf Poulsen put the Dane’s ahead just before the hour mark.

France's forward Antoine Griezmann controls the ball during the 2018 World Cup Group C football match between France and Australia at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 16, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Luis Acosta)

The 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place between June 14 and July 15 with 32 teams from five different confederations competing.

The tournament has already served some mouth-watering ties and unexpected results.

On Friday, Spain and Portugal played an entertaining 3-3 draw in Group B with forward Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a memorable hat-trick.

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his third goal during the 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Spain at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 15, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Odd Andersen)

Also in Group B, Iran won their opening match against Morocco in fortuitous fashion through an own-goal in the dying minutes of the game.

Meanwhile, in Group A, Mohammed Salah could only watch—having been left on the bench—as Egypt conceded a late goal and were defeated by South Americans Uruguay 1-0.