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.

据足球网站Goal.com报道，在巴西贝洛奥里藏特(Belo Horizonte)球场，梅西凭借一粒出神入化的进球帮助阿根廷1-0绝杀伊朗。

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.

赛前并没有多少人会想到，作为夺冠大热门之一的阿根廷队会受到伊朗的顽强阻击，而在其前三次在世界杯决赛圈中，从来没有小组出线过。

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日世界杯小组赛F组揭幕战中，伊朗却在米内罗球场（Estadio Mineirao）0-0逼平尼日利亚。这场比赛堪称本届世界杯开赛以来最无聊的比赛，伊朗主帅卡洛斯·奎罗兹（Carlos Queiroz）的球队在本场比赛的防守风格也遭人诟病。

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.

但在本场比赛补时阶段，梅西在最为关键的时刻一脚弧线球直奔死角，帮助阿根廷率先锁定了一个16强席位。

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.

同时，在26日小组赛最后一轮，伊朗将对阵波黑，获胜希望渺茫，但只有全取三分他们才有可能继续本届世界杯之旅。

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

 

如赛前预料一样，阿根廷一开场就大举进攻，但并未创造出明显的进球机会。伊朗队则像上一场小组赛那样，打定主意，坚决死守。

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分钟，加戈（Fernando Gago）长传策动进攻，冈萨罗·伊瓜因(Gonzalo Higuan)完成本队第一脚射门，但伊朗门将哈吉吉（Alireza Haghigi）反应神速，挡出了那不勒斯前锋的攻门。

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.

随后，伊瓜因与阿圭罗（Sergio Aguero）在禁区内完成精妙配合，后者一脚弧线兜射远角，又被哈吉吉神奇扑出。

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.

阿根廷继续掌控比赛，阿圭罗接队友角球，头球攻门偏出。伊朗队的坚定意志和组织纪律让人印象深刻，他们成功限制了阿根廷队的进攻。

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，还得感谢阿根廷大把挥霍机会。35分钟，阿根廷后卫加雷接梅西任意球头球攻门，却高出横梁。

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.

伊朗队在上半场也创造出一些机会，最好的一次是41分钟，德贾加（Ashkan Dejiagah）发出角球，伊朗中卫侯赛尼（Jalal Hosseini）接球险些完成破门。

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.

虽然下半场伊始，阿根廷右后卫萨巴莱塔带球突然禁区边缘，但伊朗队的进攻显然更有威胁。

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分钟，伊朗前锋古尚内贾德（Reza Ghoochannejhad）的头球攻门险些取得进球，但阿根廷门将塞尔吉奥 ·罗梅罗（Sergio Romero）成功将其化解，伊朗错失首开纪录的良机。

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.

一分钟后，伊朗队进攻，萨巴莱塔在禁区内放到了德贾加，伊朗队认为该判罚点球。回放显示，确有犯规嫌疑，阿根廷逃过一劫。

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.

在进攻端，梅西标志性的长途奔袭也未能取得进球，跳蚤从中场带球杀向禁区，一脚弧线球滑门而出。

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.

随着比赛进行，罗梅罗又扑出了德贾加的头球，随后古尚内贾德接队友传球形成单刀，但临门一脚毫无威胁。

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

就在伊朗人期待即将到手的一分时，梅西爆发了。

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.

这位巴萨前锋在右路拿球，甩开防守队员，一脚世界波直挂死角。阿根廷一役艰难取胜，很大程度要感谢队长梅西。

 

（译者：SurpassZhao 编辑：王旭泉）