Hannes Thor Halldorsson was the Iceland hero as the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup held Argentina 1-1 in their Group D opener at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow.
Sergio Aguero had put Argentina ahead in the 19th minute, smashing his first World Cup finals goal past Halldorsson from 12 yards. But Iceland were quickly level, Alfred Finnbogason capitalising in the 23rd minute when Willy Caballero in the Argentinian goal palmed away Gylfi Sigurdsson’s low cross unconvincingly.
In the 63rd minute, Aguero went down in a clash with Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson and a penalty was awarded. It looked marginal but was not overturned; however, Halldórsson dived to his right to deny Messi.
There was controversy a quarter of an hour later when Cristian Pavon went down in the penalty area. There seemed to be contact from Birkir Mar Saarsson but the referee was having none of it and did not refer it to VAR.
