The Ice Men frustrate Argentina in group opener

Argentina 1 : 1 Iceland

by Fern Coistigan

The headlines in the world newspapers will wax about the football version of David Versus Goliath with the Argentinian National Team, who were much anticipated presented and labeled as heavy favorite to win it all over newcomers Iceland.

How wrong that was. La Albiceleste were held to just a draw and share of points. However in their minds of the Andeans, this result will feel as a horrific loss and the way these Vikings delivered such a well organised match and stopped this Argentinian offense from clicking will not matter.

Not all is lost but for manager Jorge Sampaoli, but he must return to the drawing board in spite of opening the score with a nice trademark play by Sergio Kun Aguero on minute 19’.

At that point, many in Otkrytie Arena felt like they were going to witness a goal fest staged by the South Americans. They were to be disappointed as this group of determined, organised and professional Icelanders came prepared to play one amazing game of football.

Talisman scorer Alfred Finnbogason leveled in the 23 minute to even it up just four minutes after the Argentinians scored their only goal with Chelsea reserve keeper Willie Caballero looking less than impressive.

The talking point of the match arrived in the 64th minute when Messi penalty kick’s direction and trajectory was correctly guessed by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson, denying the match-winning goal. The world’s headlines will speak of the disappointment and the error by the world’s greatest player. However, the man is only human and it is unfair to put this collective failure on his back. There are plenty other good players who underperformed on the day.

This is a team effort and should not rely just on a single player. The whole Argentina squad should not have to fall on Messi alone.

There is nothing to be alarmed or to worry about yet for this Argentina squad. Teamwork will return this squad and they have two more games to reassess.