As expected Iceland were the defensive tough nut to crack for Argentina and after chances at both ends, Argentina went ahead in the 19th minute through a Ken Aguero goal, but the joy was short lived as Iceland equalised only four minutes later through Alfred Finnbogason. Nothing much happened thereafter and the game went into the break 1-1.
Nothing much changed in the second session until a penalty was awarded for Argentina in the 63rd minute for a foul on Meza, but Lionel Messi’s shot was saved by Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson. Argentina did have some chances towards the end, but the draw was a fair result in the end.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Group D
Argentina 1-1 (1-1) Iceland
Goals: 1-0 Ken Aguero (19′), 1-1 Alfred Finnbogason (23′)
Argentina: Willy Caballero – Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico – Mascherano, Biglia (54′ Banega) – Meza (84′ Higuain), Messi, di Maria (75′ Pavon) – Aguero
Subs: Armani, Guzman, Ansaldi, Fazio, Mercado, Lo Celso, Perez, Acuna, Dybala
Iceland: Halldorsson – B. Saevarsson, Arnason, R. Sigurdsson, Magnusson – J. Gudmundsson (63′ Gislason), Gunnarsson (76′ A. Skulason), Hallfredsson, B. Bjarnason – Finnbogason (89′ Sigurdarson), G. Sigurdsson
Subs: Runarsson, Schram, Eyjolfsson, Ingason, Fridjonsson, O. Skulason, Traustason, Bödvarsson, A. Gudmundsson
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Man of the Match: Hannes Halldorsson (Iceland)