My favourite game: Argentina v Iran, 2014 World Cup

10-May-2020 10:59:23 | The Guardian

From despair and frustration to hugs and flying beers for my dad and I after Lionel Messi struck in style right at the death

The Argentinian radio journalist Alejandro Fantino shouted “We are a disaster” in the 89th minute. He was right. The match that most had expected to be a rout was turning into a historic upset.

Argentina were as bad as Iran were good. Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Agüero and Ángel Di María were not working as a front three while the Asian champions were performing especially well at the back. Carlos Queiroz, Iran’s manager, appeared to have perfected the defensive formula that had plagued Argentina during the qualifiers: a parked bus and Lionel Messi well under control.