Argentina vs Iceland, FIFA World Cup 2018: Iceland Thwart Messi and Argentina to Register Maiden World Cup Point

Full time: Lionel Messi and Argentina are held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland in Moscow.  

Almost all of the Iceland team is defending the last few minutes of this game. Iceland continue to hold on as Lionel Messi fails to find the target again in a total of 9 attempts on goal today. 

Five minutes to be added on after the 90 is done. Iceland have defended with heart and soul here in Moscow, can they keep it together for another 5 minutes for what will be a historic point! They will have Halldorsson to thank massively if that does happen. 

Great save by Halldorsson as Pavon's shot almost found a way through to goal. Great reflex save after having caught sight of the ball late. Halldorsson has been great for Iceland today. He is commercial filmmaker, could this game give him some ideas?

Five minutes to go in Moscow in this entertaining fixture. Iceland previously famously nullified Cristiano Ronaldo at the Euros, can the get the job done with Messi? 

Messi once again driving in from the right but he is blocked off once again. The ball comes back to him and his shot is an inch away from the goal. This does not seem to be his day. 

Sudden urgency from Argentina as the final ten minutes approach in the contest. Messi trying his best as he pulls the strings in attack. Iceland defense has been very alert and not over-awed at all. Messi will regret that missed penalty for sure. 

Iceland are doing very well to block out the spaces and the gaps as the passes between the Argentine forwards are not coming off. Iceland regularly crowding the defense and blocking moves before it causes any harm. Once again a Messi pass to Aguero was cut out and one gets the sense Argentina are getting edgy with 15 minutes to go. Iceland very calmly working the ball around when they finally get it. 

Messi gets another chance with a free-kick from a position which is in his range. But the wall stands tall again as the Argentine is denied once again. Icrland have six players defending in a line in front of the keeper.  

After the huge penalty save, Argentina continue calm possession in the final third. Lionel Messi takes a foul just outside the box and sets for another free kick.

That was a fantastic save by the Icelandic keeper and that is Messi's third missed penalty for Argentina. 

Lionel Messi's penalty is saved by Hannes Halldorsson and Iceland rejoice. How big will that moment be? 

Penalty for Argentina just beyond the hour mark. 

Argentina are pinging in the balls into the Iceland box relentlessly and there seems to be no respite for Iceland's defense. The debutants though seem to be fine soaking it all in and clearing the lines confidently. An hour gone in the match and Iceland have stuck to their plans of crowding Argentina's attack out and are keeping the play in front of them.

Messi once again driving through the centre, gets past the three players around him this time with some quick feet and feeds Aguero who is, surprise surprise, crowded out. Argentina looking to hold the ball and frustrate Iceland. 

Messi is having to drop deep into midfield to pick up the ball and get things going. But even that isn't helping as Iceland continue to crowd the attackers out. 

Iceland earn a corner and Sigurdsson floats in a dangerous ball into the Argentine box. They have spent quite some time in the opposition half trying to attack in the early stages of the second half. 

Iceland stitch together a few passes as they get forward. Not too many moves like that for them yet today, the end result was disappointing though. 

Messi, quite a distance far away from the penalty box and finds Aguero in a pocket of space, but the move can't progress much further as Iceland crowd them out once again. 

After an intense first half, the second kicks off in Moscow with Argentina on the ball. 

After the half time break, Iceland will be looking to keep Messi and Argentina tied down, and hope to nick something on the break. Argentina will hope for something completely different. The players are emerging from the tunnel slowly for the second half. 

The legendary Diego Maradona is in the house in Moscow! 

In the first half, Iceland have been under the mat, but they have been organised and have defended with heart against their fancied opponents. Argentina, of course have been more expansive in attack but have been quite bad defensively. Iceland not out of the game and will continue to play direct football, while Argentina need to up it. 

Half time: Argentina and Iceland go into the break at 1-1. The Argentinians have been better as expected, but Iceland have shown they are no pushovers and will not be swept away. 

Couple of half chances for Iceland towards the end of the first half. Sigurdsson this time guilty of dragging the shot wide of the post. Argentina defensively in shambles as Iceland are giving it a go whenever they have a chance to attack. 

Argentina had a chance to counter with Messi on the right, but for once, shockingly, his touch let him down. Argentina have made close to five times the number of the passes made by Iceland so far. 

Argentina win it back from Iceland and Salvio goes off on a run on the right and his cross is blocked. There were calls for a hand ball for the Iceland defender but that was not going to be given. The ref very firmly calls for a corner. 

Now Messi takes a corner from the right wing, but it is collected comfortably by the Iceland keeper. After a while they have a chance to build something. Can they pinch something before half time? 

Aguero, Messi and Tagliafico combine and Messi drives into the box and earns a corner. He shot from a similar position as compared to where Ronaldo won his penalty last night. 

Long spell of possession for Argentina but the final cross back to Messi from di Maria did not reach him and was cut out. Argentina rebuild from the back. Iceland are not able to get out.