Iran had frustrated Argentina with a solid defensive display until Barcelona forward Messi curled in his second goal of the World Cup.

据英国广播公司报道，伊朗牢不可破的防线让阿根廷队无能为力，直到巴萨前锋梅西打入本届世界杯第二颗进球。

"We have a genius who is called Messi and fortunately he is Argentine," said Sabella.

“我们有一个天才梅西，幸运的是他日阿根廷人。”萨贝拉说。

"Iran made life hard for us but with Messi, everything is possible."

“伊朗队让我们踢得很艰难，但是有了梅西，一切皆有可能。”

Messi had scored just once in eight World Cup finals appearances before this tournament, and ended an eight-year wait for a goal in the opening 2-1 win over Bosnia-Hercegovina.

在本届世界杯之前，有八次世界杯出场时间的梅西只进了一个球，而在揭幕战中以2-1战胜波黑队的那个进球，终于结束了八年的等候。

Again the 26-year-old was not at his best but found space in the 91st minute to bend a brilliant left-footed strike into the far corner, his 40th goal for his country.

虽然这位26岁的球员不在最佳状态，但是在91分钟的时候他还是找到了机会，左脚踢出了一个漂亮的弧线球。这是他为他为阿根廷国家队踢进的第40个球。

"There are many things we have to think about and improve," said former Sheffield United and Leeds player Sabella, 59. "In the first half, Iran had four or five clear chances to score.

“我们还有很多地方要思考和改进，”59岁的前谢联和利兹球员萨贝拉说，“在前半场，伊朗有四、五次很好的机会明显能进球的。”

"All players who played today have contributed to this victory but of course we have a genius who is called Messi. Not even two goalkeepers could have stopped that Lionel shot."

“今天来比赛的所有人都是为了这份胜利，可是当然，我们有了一位叫做梅西的天才。就算两个球员都不能阻止这个莱昂纳尔式射球。”

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina were strong favourites to beat Iran but Sabella's side struggled to create chances.

两次的世界杯卫冕冠军阿根廷队，是最有可能打赢伊朗队的，但是萨贝拉在一旁也煎熬的寻找机会。

In fact, Iran had the two best openings, with Charlton's Reza Ghoochannejhad and Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah forcing Sergio Romero into flying saves.

实际上，伊朗队有两次表现最好的揭幕战，效力英超查尔顿俱乐部的古查内哈德（Reza Ghoochannejhad ）和富勒姆俱乐部的边锋阿什坎·德贾加（ Ashkan Dejagah ）让塞尔希奥·罗梅罗（Sergio Romero ）完成了飞身扑求。

Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in his last seven Argentina appearances

梅西在之前代表阿根廷队七次比赛中有了八个进球。

And Dejagah was adamant that he should have had a penalty after tumbling under a Pablo Zabaleta challenge.

而德贾加一直坚信，在与萨巴莱塔（Pablo Zabaleta ）的争抢中摔倒后，应得到一个点球机会。

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said: "At the end, two personalities in the game made the difference. The number one was the referee. The second was Lionel Messi.

伊朗队教练卡洛斯·奎罗斯（Carlos Queiroz）说，“有两种风格在这场比赛中造成了这个结果的差异。一个是裁判的，另一个是梅西的。”

"I hope they don't punish me, but I'm telling the truth: it was a penalty.

“我希望他们不会罚我，但是我说的是事实，那就是一个点球。”

Lionel Messi scores

"It should have been a penalty and red card. There's no excuse. There's nothing that can explain [why] this Serbian referee [did] not give the penalty.

“本来应该有点球加红牌的。毫无疑问，但这无法解释塞尔维亚裁判就是没给点球。”

"How can this guy sleep tonight, or for the rest of his life? With all respect, I would like to have the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with him. Why did he do that to us?"

“这人今晚怎么能睡得着，他后半辈子的良心怎么能安呢？我很愿意带着敬意和他来一次一对一的谈话。为什么要这样对我们呢？”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised the effort of Queiroz's team, who can still qualify from Group F.

伊朗总统哈桑·鲁哈尼（Haasein Rouhani）对奎罗斯的球队所作出的努力表示了赞扬，至少他们现在还有机会从F组出线。

"The passionate youth of the Islamic Iran have shown their determination and capabilities to the world again," he said in a statement.

“伊朗热情的穆斯林年轻人再一次向世界展现出了他们的决心和能力，”他在一份声明中说道。

"I would like to thank the assiduous players of the national team and coaching team who delighted the hearts of the nation and surprised everyone with their fair and enthusiastic play against the national football team of Argentina."

“我想感谢辛勤的教练团和国家队的球员们，你们已经用公平、热情的对战阿根廷队的比赛让所有人震惊，祖国从心底里为你们感到高兴。”

 

（译者:Dunhamphery 编辑:王旭泉）