Nightmare for World Football legend- Lionel Messi as the 1st match of Group D between Iceland and Argentina in FIFA 2018 World Cup ended up with the score at 1-1. Well, this makes Messi the 1st player since 1966 with 11+ shots, 0 goals and a missed PK in a World Cup game. Indeed, this is not a good sign for Argentina.
It seemed that the whole Argentina team were too much relying on him as the Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson has missed a penalty kick in the second half.
The South Americans started the game with the positive vibes in the attack. In 13 minutes, the team got the much-needed breakthrough via Manchester City star Sergio Aguero. Check this video out:
El Kun!
Sergio Aguero creates something out of nothing to put Argentina ahead 1-0. pic.twitter.com/ZSYWIrMBm6
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 16, 2018
Again, 4 minutes later, Alfred Finnbogason finished a rebound to score Iceland’s 1st-ever FIFA World Cup goal.
Finnbogason scores Iceland's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal! ??? pic.twitter.com/gnO14Ciu8n
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 16, 2018
With just 25 minutes to go, Maxi Meza was taken down in the box and a penalty kick was given. Messi got a chance to become a superhero with a penalty kick but lost the opportunity at the hands of Halldorsson, who made a successful save to assure a draw.
Lionel Messi's penalty miss. Brilliant save by Iceland goalkeeper Halldórsson. ??
[via @EricMoore__]pic.twitter.com/yMRTRFgNp6— FlFA World Cup (@WorIdCupFC) June 16, 2018
After the match, Hannes said, “It’s been my dream to play against the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, and it was an honor to save his penalty.”
Hannes Halldórsson (Iceland): "It's been my dream to play against the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, and it was an honor to save his penalty." [fox] pic.twitter.com/10neLB4pB8
— Barça Centre (@barcacentre) June 16, 2018
To those who don’t know, Hannes has also directed this World Cup commercial for Coca-Cola.
Now the Argentina star is facing criticism from social media users on Twitter also some have even begun to troll him too. Check out these tweets:
Seriously, Messi is trolled very badly.
New Record Set!!! #ARGISL
First man to miss penalty in the #WorldCup..
LIONEL MESSI!!??? pic.twitter.com/CRSoohcGcA
— Omoniyi Israel (@omoissy) June 16, 2018
We didn’t expect the legend to be trolled like this
Finally understand why some people refer to Lionel Messi as a GOAT after watching him being herded around for 90 minutes by a bunch of Icelandic farmers.
— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) June 16, 2018
It seems that Argentina fans are really depressed with Messi.
A guy who directs music videos part-time just saved a Lionel Messi penalty.
— John Green (@sportswithjohn) June 16, 2018
This is really a shame!
Miss Penalty 2018 goes to… Lionel Messi #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/KKgVLlH5jF
— ? Efo Dela ? (@Amegaxi) June 16, 2018
Again, A Ronaldo And Messi Comparison.
Messi got badly trolled by Ronaldo fans… Messi fans will cry after seeing 4th tweet.. #ARGISL
Who is GOAT (Greatest of all time) now?READ HERE=>https://t.co/LoFcbjm2ev pic.twitter.com/oXzNN20bM2
— Crypto Papa (@_Crypto_papa) June 17, 2018
Oh! Dear
What is this Leo ????pic.twitter.com/W5d3R1PokH
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) June 15, 2018
Disgusting!
We now know the secret to Messi’s success is Spanish grass.
What a goat he is ??? pic.twitter.com/vVqyTFkJw6
— Mad E'Leine ?♀️?? (@badgalmaddie_) June 16, 2018
Now, this is totally off the topic
Messi training hard to counter what CR7 delivered pic.twitter.com/wFxXyg0Wc1
— Mohamed Amin ?? (@babazubeir) June 15, 2018
While Jorge Sampaoli, the current manager of Argentina national football team came to Lionel Messi’s defence and said, “To evaluate and characterise [Messi’s] work is difficult because it was an uncomfortable match.”
Speaking on the opposition, he said, “Iceland was playing very defensively, blocking all possible spaces but we did everything we could for Argentina to win, above and beyond analysing the performance of every single player.”
He accepted that Iceland’s defensive set-up made it difficult for his players also believed that Argentina needs to have alternative game plans to face such opponents in future.
“Croatia is not the same as Nigeria or Iceland. The next game will be different and we must understand what strategy works best. This is going to be a tough group.”
Now, Argentina will face the Croatia, who are high with their victory in the 2nd match on Thursday.