Messi lets fly with a left‑footed shot from outside the box, but his effort is blocked by the Iranian defence after a layoff from Fernando Gago. The move shows his early intent to test Haghighi from distance.

Taking a corner, Messi whips in a cross that finds Ezequiel Garay in the centre of the box, but Garay’s header flies high and wide. Messi’s delivery creates a clear chance from the set piece.

Messi receives a headed pass from Sergio Agüero and quickly unleashes another left‑footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked before it can trouble the goalkeeper. Iran again manages to get bodies in the way of his attempt.

Driving forward in the attacking half, Messi’s close control draws a foul from the Iranian defence and he wins a free kick in a dangerous area. His dribble forces Iran to break their shape and concede the set piece.

From the resulting direct free kick, Messi curls a left‑footed effort from outside the box that rises just too high over the bar. The shot has Haghighi beaten but fails to dip in time.

Messi delivers another teasing cross from a set piece, picking out Garay from very close range, but the defender’s header again goes too high. His precise dead‑ball service repeatedly puts Iran under aerial pressure.

Messi slides a pass to Pablo Zabaleta on the right side of the box, setting up a left‑footed shot that sails high and wide. His vision opens space, but the full‑back cannot keep the attempt on target.

Combining with Javier Mascherano, Messi again shoots left‑footed from outside the box, sending a driven effort narrowly wide of the left post. It is a close call that keeps Iran’s defence under constant threat.

From another direct free kick, Messi whips a left‑footed shot from outside the box that goes just wide to the left. Once more his set‑piece quality nearly breaks the deadlock.

In the final minute, Messi cuts inside and curls a left‑footed shot from outside the box into the corner to win the game, finishing after a pass from Ezequiel Lavezzi. It is a dramatic late strike that breaks Iran’s resistance and seals a 1–0 victory for Argentina.