Iran held Argentina to a scoreless draw into injury-time on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup, but Messi ultimately couldn’t be held back as he netted the winner in a 1-0 Group F victory.
Updated: June 21, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Lionel Messi nets the late winner for Argentina over feisty Iran
Teams pose prior the World Cup 2014 Group F match between Argentina, left, and Iran, right, at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on Saturday. Peter Powell / EPA
Fans of Argentina cheer before their team's match against Iran on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
Lionel Messi, centre, of Argentina in action against Andranik Teymourian, right, of Iran during their match on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup. Dennis Sabangan / EPA
Sergio Aguero of Argentina competes for the ball with Javad Nekounam of Iran during their match on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Ian Walton / Getty Images
Angel di Maria of Argentina is challenged by Andranik Teymourian of Iran during their match on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Paul Gilham / Getty Images
Iran defender Mehrdad Pooladi, left, and Argentina captain Lionel Messi vie for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group F match on Saturday in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Adrian Dennis / AFP
Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay, left, and Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejhad vie for the ball during their match on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup. Pedro Ugarte / AFP
Argentina forward and captain Lionel Messi shoots past Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejhad to score the winner in the 1-0 result on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Adrian Dennis / AFP
Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi fails to save a goal by Argentina's Lionel Messi, unseen, for the lone goal in a 1-0victory for Argentina on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup. Sergio Moraes / Reuters
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the winner on Saturday in a 1-0 victory over Iran at the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Pedro Ugarte / AFP
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's winner in a 1-0 victory over Iran on Saturday at the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Quinn Rooney / Getty Images