Messi Saved Argentina And Stunned Iran With A Brilliant Goal In Stoppage Time

It took him more than 90 minutes, but Lionel Messi finally found a way.

With resolute defending from every man on the field, Iran had held Argentina scoreless into stoppage before Messi conjured the game-winning goal in the 91st minute of the teams' Group F matchup at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Saturday. The narrow 1-0 win sends Argentina into the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup.

After being stifled for the entire match by the disciplined Iran defense, Messi found a bit of space near the edge of the penalty area in the first minute of stoppage time. Taking a few quick touches of the ball after receiving a pass from teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi, Messi slid to his left and unfurled a brilliant, curling left-footed shot that found its way past diving Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi. The reaction of Iran defender Amirhossein Sadeghi as the ball soared into the goal captured the heartbreak of surrendering a decisive goal at that moment.


(GIF via @cjzero)

- huffingtonpost.com