Group F: Argentina v Iran
Venue: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Kick-off: 5pm (1pm, Brazil time)
TV coverage: ITV1, from 4pm
Odds: Argentina 1/8, Draw 8/1, Iran 22/1
Referee: Milorad Mazic, Serbia
Managers: Alejandro Sabella (Argentina), Carlos Queiroz (Iran)
Team news to follow
Key clash: Lionel Messi (Argentina) v Jalal Hosseini (Iran)
Iran’s 32-year-old centre-back will have to keep his wits about him against Argentina’s talented attack. The spotlight will be on him as he tries to stop Messi from sparkling like he did in the second half against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Star man: Argentina forward Lionel Messi (centre) will be looking for his second goal of the tournament against Iran
One to watch: Angel di Maria (Argentina)
The Real Madrid midfielder was full of tricks against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Argentina’s opening win. He plays a key role for Sabella’s side, acting as a link between the defensive midfielders and the likes of Sergio Aguero and Messi in attack.
Head-to-head record: Played 1 Argentina Wins 0 Draws 1
Familiar face: Manchester City right back Pablo Zabaleta is a rock at the back for Argentina.
History lesson: This is Argentina and Iran’s first World Cup encounter. Their only previous meeting was in a friendly in March 1977 in Madrid, with the game ending 1-1.
Did you know? Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella is a closet Yorkshireman. From 1978-1981 he played for Sheffield United and Leeds.
Best bet: Argentina to win 3-0 – 9/2
Centre of attention: Iran boss Carlos Queiroz speaks with his players on the pitch at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte
Opta stats
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2664217/Argentina-vs-Iran-All-stats-facts-team-news-Group-F-clash.html#ixzz35GBh8FMz
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- This is Argentina and Iran’s first World Cup encounter.
- Their only previous meeting was in a friendly on 22 March 1977 in Madrid, with the game ending 1-1.
- Iran’s only previous World Cup game against a South American side was a 4-1 defeat against Peru in 1978.
- Argentina have won ten and lost just one of their last 13 World Cup group games (D2), scoring 26 and conceding just five in total in this run.
- Argentina have won five of their last six World Cup games, with the 4-0 defeat against Germany in 2010 the only exception.
- Lionel Messi has scored one goal in one game at the 2014 World Cup, that’s already as many as in his eight games at the World Cups 2006 and 2010 combined.
- Iran have won only one of their ten games at the World Cup (D3 L6), against USA in 1998 (2-1).
- Argentina have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three World Cup games, the last time they failed to do so in four successive matches was in the 80’s (1982/86).
- The last two goals Iran have scored at World Cups have come from corners (both in 2006).
- Five of the last nine goals Iran have conceded at World Cups have been headed.