Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Iran during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Iran during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Iran's Javad Nekounam (L) during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Argentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Iran's Javad Nekounam (L) during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
An Argentinian soccer fan reacts as she watches the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Iran on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters An Argentinian soccer fan reacts as she watches the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Iran on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Iran's Ashkan Dejagah (L) attempts to score a header next to Argentina's Pablo Zabaleta during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Iran's Ashkan Dejagah (L) attempts to score a header next to Argentina's Pablo Zabaleta during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi fails to save a goal by Argentina's Lionel Messi (unseen) during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi fails to save a goal by Argentina's Lionel Messi (unseen) during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi (2nd L) makes a save during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Argentina at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi (2nd L) makes a save during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Argentina at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentinian soccer fans watch the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Iran on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Argentinian soccer fans watch the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Iran on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentina's Federico Fernandez (C) tries to get past a scrum of Iranian players during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Argentina's Federico Fernandez (C) tries to get past a scrum of Iranian players during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad (L) attempts to score a header, which was saved by Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Romero (not pictured), during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad (L) attempts to score a header, which was saved by Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Romero (not pictured), during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after missing a free kick during the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match between Argentina and Iran at the the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after missing a free kick during the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match between Argentina and Iran at the the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) takes a freekick against Iran during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) takes a freekick against Iran during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Iran's Mehrdad Pouladi (L) fights for the ball with Argentina's Sergio Aguero during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Iran's Mehrdad Pouladi (L) fights for the ball with Argentina's Sergio Aguero during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Fans cheer before the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match between Argentina and Iran at the the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters Fans cheer before the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match between Argentina and Iran at the the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentina must play full orchestra
Live: Argentina 1 - 0 Iran
Argentina's fabled "Fab Four" strike force had appeared heading for a blank at the Mineirao stadium despite dominating possession to the frustration of their massed ranks of fans who came expecting a goalfest at Belo Horizonte's Mineirao stadium.
But four-times world player of the year Messi curled the ball in during stoppage time to send them wild with only his third ever World Cup goal.
"In the first half we had four or five clear chances to score. In the second half, they made life hard for us with their counter attacks. But with Messi, everything is possible," said relieved Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella.
The result gives Argentina six points from two games and takes them into the knockout stage. But they will need more guile and precision against better opponents.
Iran, on just one point after a draw with Nigeria, will at least take heart from a fantastic performance against one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (R) scores a goal past Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at theMineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi (C) fails to save a goal by Argentina's Lionel Messi (not seen) during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Constantly crowded out by two and sometimes three Iranians, Messi had until the end been unable to pull the strings and again vomited on the pitch in the first half. The Argentine captain put two free kicks wide in either half, and saw a shot go wide after a trademark run early in the second.
In a succession of wasted Argentine first half chances, Gonzalo Higuain was quickly shut down by goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi in a one-on-one in the 13th minute, Angel Di Maria shot over the bar and Sergio Aguero had a curling shot well saved.
Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi fails to save a goal shot by Argentina's Lionel Messi during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their goal during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Iran at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters
Marcos Rojo and Ezequiel Garay put headers off target.
Iran close to scoring
With their increasingly hopeful supporters heavily outnumbered but cheering "Ole, ole, Iran!", Asia's highest-ranked team defended en masse but also enjoyed some forays forward that could have caused a sensational result.
"At the end, two personalities in the game made the difference. The number one was the referee. The second was Lionel Messi," said a bitterly disappointed coach Carlos Queiroz, claiming crucial decisions went against his side.
Queiroz was unhappy that a second half penalty claim was denied when Ashkan Dejagah was challenged by Pablo Zabaleta although the Argentina defender appeared to make contact with the ball.
Sensing an upset might be possible at 0-0, Iran were bolder in the second half. Lone striker Reza Ghoochannejhad broke free in the 53rd minute but shot at Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero before Ashkan Dejagah saw a strong header tipped over.
Then Ghoochannejhad got behind the Argentine defence in the 86th minute but saw his shot again well saved by Romero.
With the misfiring Aguero and Higuain pulled off in the second half, replacements Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio were unable to provide the missing spark - until Messi did.
"We were nervous," Argentine goalkeeper Romero said. "We need to be a bit calmer against Nigeria and play better."