Iceland’s hero keeper did homework to psych out Messi

Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson made a save on a penalty shot by Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

Iceland produced a cool display in their first ever Fifa World Cup as they held two-time champions 1-1 in Spartak Stadium, Moscow.

Iceland was level four minutes later, however, when Alfred Finnbogason scored after Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero pushed a low cross into the forward’s path for a volley from eight yards.

When asked how Iceland would handle five-time World Player of the Year Messi, Hallgrimsson cited his team’s all-for-one ethos.

“The first match is always the most hard”. In the second half we made them feel uncomfortable but they did have many people playing defensively. He said. “I tried to get in their minds, so they’d be thinking about me”.

As we know, Portugal fought their way to glory two years ago and so Sampaoli’s men can console themselves with the thought that teams can recover from an opening-game setback to go far.

Defender Javier Mascherano added in the mixed zone: “We have to move on”.

“We wanted to start by winning because that would have calmed us.The idea is the same, we have to win the next two games”. Argentina looked to hit straight back and afforded the minnows a chance on the break which they really ought to have put away.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli led Chile to the 2014 World Cup but he considers the opportunity of leading his home side much closer to his heart.

However, Ronaldo has played Iceland at a major competition, too, and it finished very similarly. I take full responsibility for missing it and letting the team down. “So we are a nightmare to play against and we can beat anybody when we have our day”.

“The first match is always difficult.Argentina want to win against everyone”.

Bjarnason had the first golden opportunity to shock the world, almost capitalising from a poor Willy Caballero clearance in the game’s opening stages. And despite the injuries, despite everything, we reached the final, thanks to Goyco and the sacrifice of all the boys.

“He supports the team and the team supports him”.

Argentina have it all to do in Group D after a faltering start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Iceland. In that moment, going to the screen, I saw him standing there, the body language showed he didn’t know, and then he had to make a decision between France or Australia. “There are some things you hope or wish for, and saving a penalty from Messi in the first game is definitely one of them”, Halldorsson said. Remember, Though Iceland played their hearts out today, Argentina should have brushed them off today considering the firepower they have amongst their ranks. “I guess our game plan worked nearly perfectly”.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.