A sense of expectation greeted Argentina icon Lionel Messi on Saturday as he made his bow at World Cup 2018, less than 24 hours after bete noire Cristiano Ronaldo’s staggering hat-trick for Portugal.
But the 30-year-old’s response was found wanting when Iceland’s heroic goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson pushed away his meek 64th-minute penalty kick. Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason earlier exchanged first-half goals in quick succession at Spartak Stadium during a memorable 1-1 draw for the European debutants in Group D.
STATISTICS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 11
Shots on target – 3
Touches – 115
Passes – 71
Key passes – 3
Dribbles – 9
Dispossessed – 7
30-SECOND REPORT
Messi’s latest shot at achieving eternal World Cup glory saw him detailed as struggling La Albiceleste’s only hope.
This billing proved apt within minutes of kick-off as his obsequious team-mates stood off and left Messi to dictate play from deep.
A personal battle between the Barcelona forward and Halldorsson ensured, from which the shot stopper definitively got the upper hand.
GOT RIGHT
MAKING A DIFFERENCE – It has been a personal crusade from Messi to drag the beaten 2014 finalists to this point. In qualifying, they averaged 2.1 points per game with him and 0.9 without him.
The story repeated in the competition proper. Compared to any team-mate, Messi had against Iceland: eight more shots, six more dribbles and was dispossessed six more times as he tried to up the ante.
GOT WRONG
SPOT-KICK MELTDOWN – If there is one stain on Messi’s reputation, it is his efficacy from 12 yards.
Much more doubt surrounds him when he is awarded a penalty-kick, than compared even to a free-kick.
This failed attempt was the 24th of his celebrated career according to Transfermarkt.com, with 79 flying into the net – the latest coming in May 30’s 4-0 friendly win against Haiti.
KEY MOMENTS
17th min DRIBBLE: Messi turns on the afterburners and drifts past three Iceland defenders, but Aguero cannot quite find Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria.
18th min CHANCE: In an instance, Messi can change everything. He slips away from his marker on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a left-footed rocket that Randers goalkeeper Halldorsson emphatically punches to safety.
22nd min CHANCE: The Barcelona great is trying to find his range. This time from 20 yards, he choose to curl a strong effort that Halldorsson smothers.
45th min HANDBALL: Argentina break up the pitch after an Iceland penalty shout, but former Barca team-mate Javier Mascherano’s rushed pass forces Messi into a handball.
64th min PENALTY MISS: Messi chips a ball in from deep and Aguero is barged over by Bristol City full-back Hordur Magnusson. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak points to the spot, but Messi’s weak effort is comfortably saved by Halldorsson as he dives to his right.
71st min CHANCE: Messi is gifted the ball 30 yards from goal by a weak header and bursts past the initial challenger, yet he runs into a dead end. The stunted move eventually ends with a shot from 20 yards by bright substitute Ever Banega.
81st min CHANCE: Iceland hearts stop as Messi curls in an effort from his favoured spot on the edge of the area, but it drifts narrowly wide.
92nd min CHANCE: Danced his way inside the area within the dying moments. It looked like a late winner would follow, yet his effort flew over the crossbar.
VERDICT
If you judge Messi by his own stratospheric standards, then this was an unsatisfactory outing.
He just could not get the better of the determined Iceland keeper. But his Argentina colleagues absolved all personal responsibility, plus do not forget his ball forced the spot-kick.
If Messi is to fulfil his destiny and lift the World Cup, this match acts as concrete evidence that even he cannot do it alone.
RATING: 6/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com