Here is how Argentina and Iran will line up for today’s Group F match with players from Manchester City, Fulham and Charlton Athletic featuring.
Argentina starting XI: Romero, Zabaleta, Rojo, Mascherano, Fernandez, Garay, Gago, Di Maria, Messi, Aguero, Higuain
Iran starting XI: Haghigi, Montazeri, Pooladi, Nekounam, Hosseini, Sadeqi, Shojaei, Teymourian, Ghoochanneijhad, Hajsafi, Dejagh
Argentina face Iran this afternoon in Belo Horizonte knowing that a victory will see them into the last-16.
The Argentines first match against Bosnia was not the showing many fans expected, despite their eventual 2-1 win, but against today’s opposition they will be hoping for a display of dominance to lay-down a marker that sees them live up to their reputation as one of the favourites for the tournament.
Iran will have taken great pride from their 1-1 draw against Nigeria, but will have to be at their absolute best to get anything from a match against Lionel Messi and co. That said, the only previous meeting between the two sides was a 1-1 draw back in 1977.
Argentina are likely to revert to the 4-3-3 formation that has recently got the best out of Messi, and while Iran are fresh off the back of their first ever World Cup clean-sheet, few expect them to make it two in a row.
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