FULL-TIME, Argentina 1-1 Iceland: Don’t go on Twitter right now, everyone. Them takes are hot!
Lionel Messi misses penalty: His cross created it, and Leo was ready for his first goal of the tournament. But the penalty was horrible and Halldórsson easily stopped it. Damn it.
HALFTIME, Argentina 1-1 Iceland: This has been a fun game, but Argentina are having issues finishing chances. Messi is surrounded by at least two players at all times, but he’s still managed to be dangerous.
GOAL! Argentina 1-1 Iceland (Finnbogason 23’): Quick equalizer for Iceland! Willy Caballero fails to control a shot from distance and the ball falls to Finnbogason for an easy goal. This game is fun!
GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Iceland (Agüero 19’): Argentina take the lead!!!! Marcos Rojo tries a shot that just happens to be a perfect pass to Sergio Agüero, who moves to his left foot and fires a rocket to the top corner. Great goal, great start for the Albiceleste.
KICKOFF! Argentina 0-0 Iceland: Let’s get it, Leo!
LINEUPS
ARGENTINA
Starting XI: Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Biglia, Mascherano; Meza, Messi, Di María; Agüero
Substitutes: Guzmán, Armani, Mercado, Ansaldi, Fazio, Pérez, Banega, Lo Celso, Acuña, Dybala, Pavón, Higuaín
ICELAND
Starting XI: Halidórsson; Saevarsson, Árnason, Sigurdsson, Mangússon; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason; Sigurdsson, Finnbogason
Substitutes: Shram, Gúnarsson, Fridjónsson, Gudmundsson, Ingason, Sigurdarson, Eyjólfsson, Skúlason, Gíslason, Traustason, Bödvarsson, Skúlason
THE TIME HAS COME! The only reason Barcelona fans watch international tournaments is to see Lionel Messi play, and the third day of the World Cup brings us the best player of all time making his debut in Russia.
Let’s be honest here: this is the last realistic chance that Lionel Messi has to win the World Cup. It’s hard to imagine Leo at the absolute peak of his powers in 2022, and he’ll probably be retired from international football by then anyway. Jorge Sampaoli is about 36% sure of what he’s doing as manager, and the once amazing supporting cast is quickly aging and getting worse by the minute.
But there’s still enough talent there to make a deep run. A team worse than this one went to the Final in Brazil, and Messi was literally vomiting every single game. He’s healthier and better than ever now, and he seems a lot more prepared to have the weight of a nation on his shoulders. He’s more loved by his own people this time around, and he’s ready to win it all for them.
Iceland are the second favorite team of every one watching the World Cup, and the favorite of those nations that aren’t in Russia. There will be a lot of people supporting The Ssons, but Messi can be a Daddy anytime he wants. This will be fun! Let’s LIVE BLOG!
Note: As always, the comments will be open once the team news are out, about an hour before the game. Join us then!
MATCH INFO
Date/Time: Saturday, June 16, 2018, 3pm CET (Barcelona), 2pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 9am EST, 6am PST (USA), 6:30pm IST (India)
Venue: Spartak Stadium, Moscow
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM WORLD CUP
How to watch on TV: FOX (USA), ITV 1 (UK), SuperSport 3 (Nigeria), TSN (Canada), SONY ESPN (India), others
How to stream: Telemundo Deportes (USA), ITV Hub (UK), FuboTV (Free trial, click here to sign up)
Matchday Thread Rules
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, no swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do will be warned, and those who post links will be banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another, especially when it’s the World Cup.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!