BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Argentina captain Lionel Messi and record-equalling Miroslav Klose of Germany rode to the rescue of their teams with trademark goals on another day of rich entertainment at the World Cup finals yesterday.
Messi snatched a 1-0 win for Argentina against plucky Iran with a typical piece of brilliance that sent the South Americans through to the last 16, while Klose equalled the record for World Cup goals of 15 to salvage a 2-2 draw against Ghana.
Messi struck in stoppage time in Belo Horizonte with a superb curling effort, although a moment of genius from the four-times world player of the year could not disguise a lacklustre display from one of the tournament favourites.
The goal, a cruel blow for the Iranians who several times came close to taking a shock lead, was enough to put Argentina through from Group F with a game to spare and was Messi’s second of the tournament after his stunner against Bosnia.
“With Messi, everything is possible,” Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella told a news conference.
