Although Argentina will be the favorite side in their meeting with Iran, it is also true that the Argentinians did little that was very impressive against Bosnia-Herzegovina on their opening night.
An own goal opened the scoring and then there was truly nothing to write home about until Lionel Messi's one moment of magic. However, the Argentine magician had be relatively unnoticed until he popped up with his goal.
If Argentina is to get flowing in this match then they need to get on the board early, otherwise the negative tactics that Iran are typical to turn to in matches against side's they are inferior too, could turn the match in the underdog's favor.
Iran set up on the defensive to hit their opponents on the break against Nigeria and it helped them to an opening day draw. It is highly possible that they could play even more defensively against Argentina and allow the ball control remain at the feet of Messi and crew until they can turn on a break.
It is likely set to be a match of attrition where Argentina works all afternoon to try and breakthrough the Iranian wall.
Gonzalo Higuain could return to the first team for Argentina as the only change in the side that defeated Bosnia while Iran is expected to remain the same from their match with Nigeria.
Argentina Starting XI: Romero: Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Rodriguez, Mascherano, Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero.
Iran Starting XI: Haghighi: Montazeri, Hosseini, Sadeqi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Heydari, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochanneijhad.
