A sublime strike from Lionel Messi denied Iran a famous FIFA World Cup point as his late goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win in Belo Horizonte.

據足球網站Goal.com報道，在巴西貝洛奧里藏特(Belo Horizonte)球場，梅西憑借一粒出神入化的進球幫助阿根廷1-0絕殺伊朗。

Few would have expected Argentina, viewed as one of the favorites to win the tournament, to be given too much of a test by a team that has never gone beyond the first round of a World Cup in three previous appearances.

賽前并沒有多少人會想到，作為奪冠大熱門之一的阿根廷隊會受到伊朗的頑強阻擊，而在其前三次在世界杯決賽圈中，從來沒有小組出線過。

However, Carlos Queiroz's side, which had been criticized for its defensive style of play following its opening Group F goalless stalemate against Nigeria, produced another resolute display at Estadio Mineirao on Saturday to come within a few minutes of a highly creditable draw.

然而，在6月14日世界杯小組賽F組揭幕戰中，伊朗卻在米內羅球場（Estadio Mineirao）0-0逼平尼日利亞。這場比賽堪稱本屆世界杯開賽以來最無聊的比賽，伊朗主帥卡洛斯·奎羅茲（Carlos Queiroz）的球隊在本場比賽的防守風格也遭人詬病。

But, in injury time, it was Messi who stepped up when it mattered most, curling home brilliantly into the corner to give the South Americans a place in the last 16.

但在本場比賽補時階段，梅西在最為關鍵的時刻一腳弧線球直奔死角，幫助阿根廷率先鎖定了一個16強席位。

Meanwhile, Iran will head into its final group game with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday reflecting on an opportunity missed, and knowing that only victory will be enough to extend its tournament.

同時，在26日小組賽最后一輪，伊朗將對陣波黑，獲勝希望渺茫，但只有全取三分他們才有可能繼續本屆世界杯之旅。

Argentina unsurprisingly dictated the opening stages without creating any clear-cut opportunities against an Iran defense that displayed the same determination as against Nigeria.

 

如賽前預料一樣，阿根廷一開場就大舉進攻，但并未創造出明顯的進球機會。伊朗隊則像上一場小組賽那樣，打定主意，堅決死守。

Gonzalo Higuain was the first to test the Iran back line after 13 minutes, but goalkeeper Alireza Haghigi showed quick reactions to race out and block the Napoli striker's effort after he had been played through by Fernando Gago.

第13分鐘，加戈（Fernando Gago）長傳策動進攻，岡薩羅·伊瓜因(Gonzalo Higuan)完成本隊第一腳射門，但伊朗門將哈吉吉（Alireza Haghigi）反應神速，擋出了那不勒斯前鋒的攻門。

Higuain was involved again as he linked up with Sergio Aguero inside the area, only to see the Manchester City man's curling effort brilliantly kept out by a fine diving save from Haghigi.

隨后，伊瓜因與阿圭羅（Sergio Aguero）在禁區內完成精妙配合，后者一腳弧線兜射遠角，又被哈吉吉神奇撲出。

Aguero then headed wide from a corner as Argentina's dominance of play continued, yet Iran, with impressive commitment and organization, did not have too much difficulty in keeping the South Americans at bay.

阿根廷繼續掌控比賽，阿圭羅接隊友角球，頭球攻門偏出。伊朗隊的堅定意志和組織紀律讓人印象深刻，他們成功限制了阿根廷隊的進攻。

Iran's ability to maintain parity also owed much to Argentina's profligacy, which was demonstrated in the 35th minute when defender Ezequiel Garay headed a Messi free kick over the crossbar.

伊朗得以一直保持0-0的比分，還得感謝阿根廷大把揮霍機會。35分鐘，阿根廷后衛加雷接梅西任意球頭球攻門，卻高出橫梁。

Queiroz's men were able to fashion some first-half opportunities of their own, the best of which came after 41 minutes as center back Jalal Hosseini turned Ashkan Dejagah's corner narrowly wide of the post.

伊朗隊在上半場也創造出一些機會，最好的一次是41分鐘，德賈加（Ashkan Dejiagah）發出角球，伊朗中衛侯賽尼（Jalal Hosseini）接球險些完成破門。

Pablo Zabaleta went close from the edge of the area in the opening stages of the second half, however, it was Iran which continued to look more threatening.

雖然下半場伊始，阿根廷右后衛薩巴萊塔帶球突然禁區邊緣，但伊朗隊的進攻顯然更有威脅。

Indeed, the team would have taken the lead in the 53rd minute had forward Reza Ghoochannejhad not directed his header straight at Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero following a fine break.

第53分鐘，伊朗前鋒古尚內賈德（Reza Ghoochannejhad）的頭球攻門險些取得進球，但阿根廷門將塞爾吉奧 ·羅梅羅（Sergio Romero）成功將其化解，伊朗錯失首開紀錄的良機。

Iran felt it should have been awarded a penalty a minute later after Zabaleta appeared to bring down Dejagah, with replays suggesting that the South Americans had been given a let off.

一分鐘后，伊朗隊進攻，薩巴萊塔在禁區內放到了德賈加，伊朗隊認為該判罰點球。回放顯示，確有犯規嫌疑，阿根廷逃過一劫。

At the other end, Messi failed to find a finish after surging forward with an archetypal run from midfield and curling wide of the post.

在進攻端，梅西標志性的長途奔襲也未能取得進球，跳蚤從中場帶球殺向禁區，一腳弧線球滑門而出。

With time running out, Romero was called into action to tip Dejagah's header over and Iran had an even better chance when Ghoochannejhad was sent clear one-on-one but produced a weak finish.

隨著比賽進行，羅梅羅又撲出了德賈加的頭球，隨后古尚內賈德接隊友傳球形成單刀，但臨門一腳毫無威脅。

But just as the Iranians looked set to celebrate a famous point, Messi struck.

就在伊朗人期待即將到手的一分時，梅西爆發了。

The Barcelona man worked space on the edge of the area before opening his body to bend a shot into the corner, as Argentina's class – and more accurately that of the team's captain – finally told.

這位巴薩前鋒在右路拿球，甩開防守隊員，一腳世界波直掛死角。阿根廷一役艱難取勝，很大程度要感謝隊長梅西。

 

（譯者：SurpassZhao 編輯：王旭泉）