Group F preview: Argentina v Iran
Argentina will rely on their supreme attacking weapons to break down the stubborn Iranian defence in Belo Horizonte.
After stuttering in the early stages of in their opening match, Argentina’s attack will need to use all its talent to find a way to break through Iran’s stubborn defence.
Lionel Messi’s remarks earlier this week about the team’s tactics in the first match sparked speculation that Argentina’s captain wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with coach Alejandro Sabella.
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Whatever formation Argentina uses against Iran, the South Americans will need to be patient against a lineup that held Nigeria to a 0-0 draw in their first match.
Messi said Argentina made too many mistakes against Bosnia-Herzegovina despite winning 2-1, starting the match with two attackers instead of three and playing a 5-3-2 formation in the first half. Messi prefers a 4-3-3 and Argentine media reports said he and other players insisted at half-time that Sabella needed to change tactics.
A win for Argentina against Iran will give the South Americans a firm grip on Group H, but Iran’s defence is a potential impediment.
Live Box 2014616122622362148
Venue: Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Kick-off: June 21, 1600GMT
Key stats: Argentina will progress to the second round with a win.
Iran will remain in contention to qualify regardless of the result.
The two countries have only met once before; a friendly in Madrid in 1977 which ended 1-1.