Second-round play begins today with Lionel Messi’s Argentina taking on lowly Iran, managed by former Portugal coach Carlos Quieroz. Monday’s USA vs. Ghana match was perhaps the most one-sided of the tournament so far in terms of position, since the USA got a goal in the first minute and allowed Ghana to have the ball for almost the entirety of the match. Argentina vs. Iran should outdo that match. The Iranians are the most defensive team in the tournament and today face a loaded albiceleste squad.
What’s At Stake
Iran managed a point against Nigeria in an unwatchably bad game. They’re after another draw today and hoping for a draw in tonight’s Nigeria vs. Bosnia match. If they get both of those, they would progress with a draw next week and an Argentina victory over Nigeria. That’s their only hope. Winning is out of the question if scoring isn’t on the table.
Argentina will progress from this group, even if they somehow can’t find a way to score today. They want to finish first to avoid France, who crushed Switzerland yesterday and Honduras Sunday. They’d still do that if they beat Nigeria next week.
Iran will sit extremely deep today as they face Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Kun Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, etc., etc., etc. They’ll leave striker Reza Ghoochannejhad up top, as they did against Nigeria, where he’ll try in vain to relieve some of the pressure. Behind him, it’ll be a back four and a midfield five standing as far back as they can without getting in their keeper’s way.
Argentina inexplicably started with five defenders and two defense-minded midfielders against Bosnia. The Bosnians provided more threat than I expected, but that was probably because Argentina didn’t put enough players forward to worry the Europeans’ defense. (That’s why Messi kept dribbling into trouble in the first half; there were many fewer passing options available than he normally has at Barcelona.)
Today the formations won’t matter much. Iran will be defending with all hands, and Argentina will need good dribbling or visionary passing to cut through their ranks.
Players to Watch
Argentina: Angel di Maria, whose trickiness (see Drinking Games) will be called on today. Why not Messi? You were already going to be watching him anyway.
Iran: Alireza Haghighi, the goalkeeper. Yes, really. It’s going to be that kind of match.
Adrian Healey and Everton manager Roberto Martinez. Healey has been consistently good so far, but I’m always especially excited whenever Martinez brings his extraordinary understanding of the game to the booth. Listen for his assessment of the Argentine tactical set up early in the game.*
Match-specific Drinking Games
Olé!: Take a shot whenever an argentine player does a backheel kick or nutmegs an opponent. How drunk? Strong buzz. It’ll take all the South Americans’ guile to break down Iran’s massed defenses.
Prince of Persia: Have a drink any time combative Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad fouls or is fouled. How drunk? Woozy. He battles for every air ball.
Retreat: Take a shot whenever all eleven Iranian players are stuck inside their own half for over thirty seconds. How drunk? Hospitalized.
Argentina: Malbec. If you pair it with a nice, salty steak, Messi promises he’ll score a hat trick.
Iran: Chai. As if you needed another reason to root for Argentina today.
*Martinez has been replaced by Efan Ekoku for today’s match. Dammit.
For more:
– Read my general World Cup watching guide.
– Check out Zonal Marking, my favorite tactics website.
– See a commentary schedule or a review of each commentator.
– See where I’m getting my national drink recommendations.
– Check out other match previews from this group: Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran vs. Nigeria
Picture credit: ibnlive.in.com
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