Messi’s late goal sends Argentina through to second round

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, June 22 (AFP): Lionel Messi scored a brilliant injury time winner as Argentina overcame Iran 1-0 to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup in Belo Horizonte Saturday.
Four-time world player of the year Messi curled in a sublime shot from just outside the area in the first minute of stoppage time to break Iranian hearts after a gripping Group F battle.
Argentina captain Messi had been largely anonymous for much of the match as Iran frustrated the South American giants at the Mineirao Stadium.
Iran, with only one win in four appearances at the World Cup, looked to have secured a famous draw.
The Asian minnows might even have snatched victory only to be denied by Argentina keeper Sergio Romero, who pulled off fine second half saves from England-based duo Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejad.
But with the clock ticking down, Messi picked up the ball on the edge of the area and after being granted time to pick his spot, curled in his second goal of the tournament.
The result leaves Argentina assured of a place in the last 16, joining Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile and Holland in the second round.
In other matches Saturday, Germany's hat-trick hero Thomas Mueller will look to add his goal tally when his side faces Ghana in Fortaleza.
German coach Joachim Loew highlighted Mueller's importance-and not just his goals-ahead of their game at the Castelao Stadium.
"He is unpredictable, he can score at any moment," Loew said.
"He is a boy who is very motivating for the others. He is funny, joyful. He is very positive, he talks to everybody. He is a real team player.
"He can transmit his good humour and spontaneity. It is very important for us," declared Loew.
Germany may have to shuffle their defence against Ghana, however, as Mats Hummels struggles with a thigh injury.
Another report adds: Miroslav Klose equalled Brazilian legend Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals with the equaliser for Germany in their 2-2 Group G draw with Ghana in Fortaleza on Saturday.
Mario Goetze had given Germany the lead before goals from Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan turned the game on its head and threatened to cause a major upset for the Black Stars.
But Klose had the last laugh with a poacher's goal a yard out 19 minutes from time.
"It doesn't matter whether I play from the start or come off the bench: all games are important and 15 goals in 20 World Cup games isn't bad," said the Lazio striker.
German captain Phillip Lahm refused to use the sweltering conditions as a reason for their performance.
"It was a gruelling 90 minutes, the weather can't be an excuse, we were not as aggressive and gave them too much room," said Lahm, who like several of the squad have experienced semi-final heartbreak in 2006 and 2010.
"Over the 90 minutes, we had the better chances, but overall we can't be satisfied."
Gyan, whose goal saw him join Cameroon legend Roger Milla as the leading all-time African scorer with five, said that they had played much better tha in the defeat by the United States.
"We believed in ourselves today," the 28-year-old told the BBC.
"I think tactically we were perfect today.
"Now we definitely have to beat Portugal. We will have to focus but we believe we can beat them."
With the USA playing Portugal in Manaus on Sunday, the result breathes life back into Ghana's hopes of reaching the last 16.
The Germans could be knocked from top of the group and must beat Jurgen Klinsmann's Stars and Stripes in Recife on Thursday to be sure of reaching the knock-out stages.
Having at times bossed the first half, and only been denied by two fantastic Manuel Neuer saves from Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu, Ghana switched off at the start of the second.