Lionel Messi misses penalty as Iceland hold Argentina

Lionel Messi missed a penalty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by a plucky Iceland side in Group D.

The Scandinavians had only 25 per cent of the possession in the first half but created the better chances against a suspect Argentine defence.

Messi cut a frustrated figure as he was forced to drop deep to collect the ball but it was his strike partner Sergio Aguero, picked ahead of Gonzalo Higuain, who gave them the lead with a stunning finish in the box.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side were only ahead for four minutes though, being punished for playing Russian roulette at the back when Alfred Finnbogason netted from close range.

But the turning point came in the second half when Argentina were awarded a penalty after a foul on Maximiliano Meza, with Messi having his spot-kick saved to cap off a wretched performance.

Sampaoli brought on Ever Banega, the impressive Christian Pavon and Gonzalo Higuain but Iceland continued to defend resolutely.

Boca striker Pavon will feel he should have been awarded a penalty from a late challenge but the South American side have plenty to think about ahead of Thursday’s game with Croatia.

Why did Sampaoli not introduce Gonzalo Higuain earlier or bring on Paulo Dybala? The attack was clearly not working with Aguero isolated, Messi dropping deep into midfield to pick up the ball and Angel Di Maria isolated on the flank. But the Argentina boss chose to instead bring on Ever Banega and Christian Pavon rather than the pace of Dybala. And Higuain had only six minutes to make an impact.

Hannes Halldorsson (Iceland): The former film director ensured he was the star of the show by keeping out Messi’s penalty and producing a brilliant late save from Pavon to earn his side a deserved point. He only turned professional five years ago but commanded his box brilliantly, helped by an organised defence in front of him.

Argentina: Caballero 6, Salvio 6, Otamendi 6, Rojo 5, Tagliafico 7, Biglia 5, Mascherano 6, Di Maria 4, Messi 5, Meza 6, Aguero 7. Subs: Banega 6, Pavon n/a, Higuain n/a.

Iceland: Halldorsson 8, Saevarsson 6, R Sigurdsson 8, Arnason 7, Magnusson 6, J Gudmundsson 6, Bjarnason 5, G Sigurdsson 6, Gunnarson 6, Hallefredsson 5, Finnbogason 8. Subs: Gislason n/a, Skulason n/a

10’ - DOUBLE CHANCE FOR ICELAND! A long ball is played over the top for Finnbogason who lashes a shot over from a tight angle after getting behind Rojo. Argentina make a hash of the back pass, the ball is payed to Bjarnason around six yards out but he sidefoots it wide, he should have scored!

19’ - WHAT A GOAL BY AGUERO! Rojo's drive falls to the feet of the Man City striker with his back to goal and he hammers it in on the turn.

23’ - GOAL FOR ICELAND! Finnbogason strokes the ball in from close range after Caballero can only parry a low cross.

45’ - GOOD SAVE! G. Sigurdsson's side-footed effort from a tight angle is palmed away by Caballero. Thirty seconds later the Everton man has space to lash in a volley put puts it wide.

63’ - PENALTY TO ARGENTINA! Magnusson penalised for a collision with Meza.

64’ - MESSI MISSES THE PENALTY! The Barcelona man's spot kick is strongly palmed away to his right, poor spot kick.

77’ - PENALTY SHOUT! Pavon is brought down in the box but no penalty is given by the ref, there was definitely contact. No VAR this time which is a surprise.

87’ - GREAT SAVE! Great reactions from Halldorsson to pam away a low, whipped across from Pavon which was sneaking into the far post.

Aguero netted his first ever World Cup goal.

Messi has missed three of his last six penalties.