MOSCOW: Lionel Messi missed a second-half penalty as Iceland held mighty Argentina to a 1-1 draw in their Group D World Cup opener in Moscow on Saturday.
Sergio Aguero gave the South Americans the lead in the 19th minute with a brilliant finish on the turn from 12 metres.
But Iceland, the smallest-ever country by population to qualify for the World Cup, equalised four minutes later when Alfred Finnbogason swept home a loose ball from close range.
Argentina were awarded a penalty in the 64th minute for a push in the back on Aguero by Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson but Messi's weak effort from the spot was saved by goalkeeper Hannes Por Halldorsson.
Messi, the five-time Fifa player of the year, has struggled from the spot in some crucial moments. He famously (and briefly) retired from international football after missing when Argentina fell to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final.
