Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage as Argentina take on Iceland in Group D of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
La Albiceleste were runners up to Germany four years ago in Brazil and will be aiming to lay down a positive marker after a testing qualification process to reach the finals.
Jorge Sampaoli's men will be taking on an Icelandic side making their debut in the tournament, before group rivals Croatia and Nigeria go into battle later this evening.
Follow all of the live action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
1.00pmGood afternoon everyone and thanks for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Argentina's opening Group D clash with Iceland at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Argentina, led by Jorge Sampaoli, were runners up at the last edition of the tournament in Brazil four years ago, while Iceland are making their debut at the world showpiece.
1.01pmARGENTINA STARTING XI: Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Biglia, Mascherano; Meza, Messi, Di Maria; Aguero
1.02pmICELAND STARTING XI: Halldorsson; Saevarsson, Arnason, Sigurdsson, Magnusson; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason; Sigurdsson; Finnbogason
1.03pmSampaoli' had already announced his starting XI 24 hours early, leaving Sergio Aguero to lead the line for Argentina, while Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Maximiliano Meza will operate just behind the lone frontman.
1.05pmA little deeper in midfield, both Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia will serve as two central pivots in the centre. At the back, Eduardo Salvio and Nicolas Tagliafico feature in the full-back berths, while Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Rojo feature in the middle of defence. Chelsea's Willy Caballero starts between the sticks.
1.07pmThe major news for Iceland is that key midfielder Aron Gunnarsson has been declared fit to start despite having carried a knock during the build up to the contest. Gylfi Sigurdsson, Everton playmaker and top scorer during Iceland's qualification bid, will sit just behind forward man Alfred Finnbogason.
1.09pmIn midfield, Aston Villa's Birkir Bjarnason is to feature on the left, leaving Burnley's Johann Berg Gudmundsson on the right flank. Emil Hallfredsson and Gunnarsson are to sit in central midfield roles.
1.10pmARGENTINA SUBSITUTES: Guzman, Mercado, Ansaldi, Fazio, Banega, Acuna, Higuain, Armani, Perez, Le Celso, Dybala, Pavon
1.10pmICELAND SUBSTITUTES: Fridjonsson, A. Gudmundsson, Ingason, Sigurdarson, Schram, Runarsson, Eyjolfsson, Skulason, Gislason, Traustason, Bodvarsson, A. Skulason
1.12pmLooking at the attacking talent on the Argentina bench, with the likes of Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Giovani Lo Celso all missing out on starting spots, you have to wonder why exactly Argentina made such hard work of qualifying for Russia...
1.13pmArgentina are now competing at their 17th World Cup having qualified for a 12th tournament in succession. Having come runners-up to Germany in Brazil four years ago, the road to Russia has been paved with a few fair troubles this time around.
1.14pmQualification proved a difficult process for the Argentines, who saw Sampaoli take over from Edgardo Bauza coach with four qualifiers to spare and the country's hopes hanging in the balance.
1.15pmThe coach was not able to work miracles straight away, however, and it took some brilliance from Messi in the country's final qualifier in order to book a last-ditch spot on the plane.
1.16pmArgentina found themselves 1-0 down away to Ecuador at troubling altitude, before Messi stepped up to bag a memorable hat-trick to hand La Albiceleste another summer at the world's showpiece tournament.
1.18pmMessi's heroics effectively proved one of few moments of standout quality throughout a testing qualification process that also saw Argentina score just 19 times in 18 games. The Barcelona striker scored seven of those 19 goals.
1.20pmSince qualification, the country's preparations have not been the most helpful for Messi and company. The Barcelona wizard sat out of a 4-2 defeat to Nigeria in November last year, while La Albiceleste were mauled 6-1 by Spain in Madrid earlier in March and that contest seemed to put a halt to any progress made earlier in a 2-0 friendly win over Italy.
1.22pmSince March, Argentina have only been able to play one friendly, a 4-0 victory over Haiti, as contests against Nicaragua and Israel were both cancelled for varying political reasons.
1.24pmMuch of the narrative in the build-up to this contest has surrounded Messi, who at 31 could be appearing in his last World Cup for his country. The tournament in Russia might just provide the frontman with a final chance to lead his side to an elusive World Cup crown.
1.26pmGiven the hiccups in the build-up to Russia, it is easy to forget that Argentina came runners up to Germany in Brazil in 2014. Argentina have actually gone past the group stage in 11 of their last 12 World Cup appearances.
1.26pmHere's a quick glimpse from FIFA TV a little earlier of the Argentina changing rooms, as well as some footage of the players arriving at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow:
1.28pmThe country has now won 12 of their last 15 group games at the World Cup, having drawn two and lost the other one. That sole defeat came at the hands of England in 2002.
1.30pmArgentina have actually topped their group in each of the last three World Cups. They have also won their opening game in each of the last six editions.
1.32pmIceland make the trip to Russia as they prepare to make their debut in the World Cup. This represents a second major tournament following the country's appearance in Euro 2016, where they were able to reach the quarter-finals as the neutrals' favourite.
1.33pmIceland's heroics in that tournament will live long in the memory of many neutral fans, while England followers will always recall a night of embarrassment as a side led by both Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson dumped the Three Lions out with a 2-1 win in the last 16 in France.
1.34pmWorld Cup duties have now been left with Hallgrimsson in sole charge of Iceland, which is the smallest country by population to reach the tournament.
1.35pmQualification for Russia was not made too easy for Iceland, who had to compete in a group that also included current Group D rivals Croatia. Iceland won seven of their 10 games in qualifying in order to edge beyond Croatia to claim top spot by two points and earn the only automatic qualification berth in the group.
1.36pmIn preparation for the World Cup, Iceland have taken part in six friendlies since qualifying, although not all of them have been FIFA-sanctioned. The country has not been able to claim a win from any of them.
1.37pmSuch has been the fanfare around the country's qualification, Icelanders have made the trip to Russia in droves and have already brought plenty of entertainment with them:
@FIFAWorldCup Iceland has arrived #VikingClap #WorldCup #FyrirIsland #ARGISL #fotboltinet pic.twitter.com/wik27IzU2I
— Birkir Ólafsson (@Birkanovitz) 16 June 2018
1.38pmLooking elsewhere in the group, Iceland lost one and won one against Croatia during qualification and Hallgrimsson might just be looking to games against the Vatreni and Nigeria as the more likely opportunities to pick up three points.
1.40pmThis year Iceland have already lost to Mexico, Peru and Norway, and they also drew 2-2 with Ghana having given away a two-goal lead in Reykjavik. Argentina might not be at their best lately, but they have more than enough talent to cause serious problems, while Sampaoli's international experience with Chile in the previous tournament in Brazil should serve La Albiceleste well today.
1.42pmIcelandic frontman Finnbogason is arguably the more cultured option for Hallgrimsson going forward. You can take a look here at the story behind the forward's rise to an international starting spot for his country:
From the suburbs of Reykjavik to the biggest stage in world football 👀@A_Finnbogason 🇮🇸 #WorldCup #ARGISL pic.twitter.com/sveOqApFUS
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) 16 June 2018
1.44pmMuch like many early fixtures in Russia, this represents the first ever competitive meeting between the two nations at international level.
1.46pmArgentina have lost just once in their previous seven World Cup group fixtures against sides from Europe. That defeat was against England in Sapporo, Japan, thanks to David Beckham's penalty in the 2002 World Cup.
1.48pmSpeaking ahead of the game, Iceland coach Hallgrimsson has admitted that the prospect of stopping Messi is going to take some standout teamwork from his charges:
"Regarding Messi, I don't have a magic formula. Everybody has tried everything against him and he always manages to score. He is one of the best players in the world. We will play against him like everything we do, we'll do it together. We'll help each other and try to do it as a team."
1.50pmAs for Sampaoli, the Argentina boss highlighted that Iceland have the potential to cause issues on the break this afternoon in Moscow: "We know Iceland's main man, their captain [Gunnarsson], is recovering from injury but they play well as a group and I'm sure it's going to be very tough against them. They defend in depth and will probably play on the counter attack. Iceland will be a tough team to beat."
1.52pmPREDICTION! Not long to go now, the players are emerging from the tunnel and it's time to make a prediction. Argentina made tough work of qualification, but given the amount of quality in this squad, combined with Sampaoli's tournament successes, La Albiceleste will fancy themselves to open with a win here. Messi's dominance sometimes hides the fact that this unit also includes the likes of Aguero, Di Maria and Dybala going forward. Iceland will likely make things difficult, but Argentina have too much quality and a fantastic record in World Cup group-stage openers. I'm backing Argentina for a hard-fought 2-0 win.
1.54pmWe're in the midst of some rather polarising national anthems in Moscow. It's another beautiful day in the Russian capital and let's hope the action matches up to the conditions. Iceland looking steely and focused mid anthem.
1.56pmTime for a quick recap of the starting XIs as we wait for the game to get underway...
ARGENTINA STARTING XI: Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Biglia, Mascherano; Meza, Messi, Di Maria; Aguero
ICELAND STARTING XI: Halldorsson; Saevarsson, Arnason, Sigurdsson, Magnusson; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason; Sigurdsson; Finnbogason
1.58pmPolish referee Szymon Marciniak will be in charge of today's proceedings. There's also somebody known as VAR keeping an eye on things too.
1 minKICKOFF! Iceland get things moving and they aim to get straight at the Argentina defence. Finnbogason breaks into space and drags a shot wide without troubling Caballero.
3 minAs expected, Iceland are tight and compact early on as Argentina move the ball across the deck inside the white half of the pitch. Both sides assuming their presumed roles in the opening minutes. Argentina are doing the initial probing on the ball.
4 minCLOSE! Di Maria buys a cheap free kick on the left flank, which is soon whipped into the middle by Messi. Otamendi leaps highest inside the box but is only able to flick his header across the face of goal and wide.
6 minA feisty start here with Argentina moving the ball with purpose and energy. Bjarnason aims to register his presence as he brings down Meza on the right flank and gives away a needless free kick.
8 minIceland would have expected to have little of the ball at times, but Argentina have started very brightly. Another needless free kick gives Messi another chance to turn an effort into the middle, where Tagliafico gets a head on the ball to send it flashing just wide of the far post.
9 minSHOT! This is exactly what Iceland need to do. A long ball forward into Finnbogason sees the striker roll Rojo with ease before volleying over the bar. Great work from the frontman...
10 minCHANCE! Argentina poorly fail to clear their lines and the ball is eventually rolled into the path of an onrushing Bjarnason, who skews his first-time effort just wide of Caballero's post with the keeper looking beaten. Argentina look slightly rattled after a first spell of pressure from Iceland.
12 minThis game is already moving from end to end at pace as Argentina win a corner on the left. Messi turns the cross into the middle, although Árnason stands tall to hoof clear at the first attempt.
14 minMessi is already dropping very deep and Iceland will not mind that leaving them predominantly with Aguero to deal with inside the area. Hallgrimsson's men are looking accomplished thus far.
16 minFantastic work now from Messi who robs possession in the middle of the pitch and drives into the Icelandic half. The playmaker shifts the ball into Aguero on the turn, but his eventual pass into space for Di Maria is cut out vitally by a retreating Saevarsson.
17 minSHOT! Iceland have kept forcing Messi deep but that does not stop the Argentine on this occasion. The forward is forced away from the box, but he soon cuts inside to drive an effort at goal which is punched away by keeper Halldorsson.
19 minGOAL! ARGENTINA 1-0 ICELAND (SERGIO AGUERO)
19 minIt's a first ever World Cup goal for Aguero! Rojo drives a poor shot towards goal, leaving the Manchester City striker to bring the effort under control with his back to goal. After some neat footwork, the frontman evades his marker before turning and smashing home a wonderful effort on his left that leaves Halldorsson with absolutely no chance of stopping it.
21 minCLOSE! Argentina are starting to look alive now and Messi comes deep to collect the ball before trying to catch Halldorsson off guard. Thankfully for Iceland, the keeper does well to get down low and keep out the striker's driven effort.
23 minGOAL! ARGENTINA 1-1 (ALFRED FINNBOGASON)
23 minWhat a comeback. Fantastic scenes in Moscow... Iceland break down the right channel where Sigurdsson lashes a powerful cross into the middle, leaving Caballero to only parry his save back out into the middle of the box. Neither Rojo or Tagliafico can react, allowing Finnbogason to prod into the net from the centre spot to restore parity.
25 minIf anybody needed a reminder of what Iceland are made of that was it... Argentina's weak points are at the back and perhaps between the sticks and Iceland have made full use of those weaknesses. Messi does not look best pleased.
27 minIceland still appear happy to sit off and wait for the counter. Argentina win another corner on the left, although Otamendi cannot keep his header down and a looping effort goes straight into the grateful arms of Halldorsson.
29 minIceland are aiming to make use of their height and power inside the Argentina half, but Biglia uses some guile to buy a cheap free kick off a leaping Arnason just when the pressure is mounting.
30 minWith all of his quality, it's rather peculiar that it has taken Aguero this long to register in the World Cup. What a beauty to finally open his account, though...
© Reuters
32 minNeither side has veered from their opening game-plan as Argentina continue to work the ball with plenty of touches, Iceland continuing to sit as deep as required. Hallgrimsson's men have offered enough on the break to cause Argentina some anxiety at the back and so far it has kept the debutants in the game.
34 minSampaoli will want his charges to up the tempo as the game progresses. Argentina are having plenty of the ball inside the Icelandic half, although the build-up play is just a little too slow at the moment to really work what is a packed defence.
36 minLa Albiceleste continue to work the ball across the face of the Iceland box, where Augero aims to spin Messi in behind the last man, but Hallfredsson makes a timely interception to thwart the danger.
38 minMessi remains the main instigator, this time as he comes over to the left and drives down the flank. Saevarsson does well to keep apace with his man and blocks the eventual cross out for a corner, which Iceland deal with comfortably.
40 minArgentina as a one-man team has often been the tired narrative that has been shaped this side for a while now. It's actually proving rather true this afternoon. Apart from Aguero and the Barcelona frontman, Argentina have offered very little attacking threat.
42 minSHOUTS FOR A HANDBALL! Salvio breaks down the right channel and aims to beat the challenge of Sigurdsson, who takes the ball with his foot before the ball hits his trailing arm. The referee waves play on and after a slight pause the brains behind VAR agree too.
44 minBerg Gudmundsson aims to make use of a rare counter down the right channel, but his eventual ball into the middle is headed clear under pressure by Manchester United defender Rojo.
45 minSAVE! Argentina cannot clear on the left side of the box, allowing Sigurdsson to trick his way past two men before seeing his cute shot tipped away from goal by a diving Caballero.
45+1 minHALF TIME: ARGENTINA 1-1 ICELAND
2.47pmWhat a treat we've been handed here in Moscow. That was a standout first half of football portraying the beauty of two entirely different systems. The draw is looking a fair representation at the moment, although Iceland had a fantastic chance to go ahead at the end of the first period.
2.49pmAguero's first World Cup strike was a real feast for the eyes, but Iceland's more industrious approach has provided just as much entertainment too. The debutants have shown real spirit to climb back into this contest and they have caused Argentina a fair share of problems. Caballero dealt with the goal poorly, but he did well to keep out Sigurdsson's shot right at the end of the half.
3.58pmSampaoli will be asking his side to speed things up in the second half. Argentina have had plenty of the ball but their build-up play has been far too slow. Iceland haven't really needed to break a sweat when moving across the pitch.
3.01pmArgentina are already back out on the pitch, Iceland are just making their way back down the tunnel. We will be underway again shortly...
46 minSECOND HALF! Argentina get the game going again in the second half. Neutrals will be asking for much of the same, we've had a real treat so far during this encounter.
48 minSampaoli's charges have come out with good intent early on in the second period. Di Maria whips in a corner towards the back post, leaving Otamendi to send a looping header wide of the target.
50 minCLOSE! Iceland wait for their chance to break down the left channel and a perfect ball is turned into the middle of the box for Finnbogason. The striker only has to head on target unmarked, but for some reason he decides to leave the ball and Argentina clear their lines. It appears as though the frontman thinks there is another player behind him... A great chance goes begging.
52 minAnother wave of navy drives forward and the play is slipped quickly into the feet of Messi. Just as the Barca man pulls back to shoot from the centre of the box, Sigurdsson gets a vital foot in to stab the ball away from danger.
54 minSUBSTITUTION: Argentina make a creative change as holding man Biglia is replaced with Sevilla creator Ever Banega in the middle of the park.
56 minProceedings are mimicking those of the first period. Argentina are still trying to force the issue, but Iceland are holding firm and compact at the back. This time both centre-backs unite to drive Aguero away from goal before he can get his shot away.
58 minYou have to wonder how long Iceland can play this deep as Argentina continually drive at the box of the side in white. So far Iceland have defended brilliantly but should they suffer a lapse in concentration the endpoint could be very different.
60 minSalvio and Tagliafico are starting to make positive strides down the flanks, Iceland will need to be wary of being dragged apart...
63 minPENALTY TO ARGENTINA!
64 minPENALTY SAVED!
64 minMy word, stunning scenes in Moscow... A long ball into the box sees Aguero brought down and the referee points straight to the spot. Messi steps up to deliver, but Halldórsson guesses brilliantly and dives to his right to get two strong hands to parry away the spot-kick.
66 minWhat do Argentina have in the locker now? Messi has passed up a crucial chance to take a lead for the second time in the game. That save will surely fill Iceland with energy as they head into a vital part of the contest.
68 minIt's all Argentina at the moment and Iceland are looking a little stretch at times. The Whites need to find a route out of this soon otherwise this Argentine pressure might just end up being telling.
70 minDi Maria, who has been very quiet all afternoon, finally drives positively down the left, although his cut-back into the middle is soon hooked away by Sigurdsson with Aguero lurking in the box.
72 minMessi finally finds a bit of space on the edge of the area and he soon finds Di Maria. The Paris Saint-Germain winger opens up on his right, but can only fire his shot straight into the arms of Halldorsson.
74 minIt might be a little too early to speak, but this would be a huge point for Iceland if they are able to get something out of this contest. Hallgrimsson's men have just been able to shift up the pitch a little and any yard that they can gain will be an advantage in the final 15 minutes.
76 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Further changes for both sides then as Skulason takes the place of Gunnarsson for Iceland, while Cristian Pavon takes the place of Di Maria for Argentina.
78 minBoth sides are still in with a chance here and Iceland might just fancy themselves on the counter as Argentina aim to force the issue going forward. We are in for a tense final 10 minutes in Moscow...
80 minAnd still Argentina swamp forward but they are really lacking creativity beyond Aguero and Messi. Iceland are keeping compact and it's doing just the trick at the moment. Sampaoli's men look bereft of ideas.
82 minIcelandic are doing everything that they can to break up play and slow the game down. Argentina have the best part of 10 men inside the Icelandic half when moving forward now...
84 minBodies everywhere for Argentina now but still nothing to show for it. Sigurdsson has marshalled his defence perfectly this afternoon...
86 minSAVE! That should have been it. Pavon comes in off the left to bend a curling effort through bodies, but somehow Halldorsson gets a hand on it to push the ball away from the far corner.
89 minWe are going to have a huge five minutes of additional time here!
90+2 minCLOSE! More pressure from Messi who comes in off the right and makes his way through bodies. He opens up with his right but the effort goes flashing just wide of the near post.
90+4 minIceland have slowed things to a walking pace now in possession. What a result this will be if they can hold on...
90+5 mnFULL TIME: ARGENTINA 1-1 ICELAND
4.00pmWhat a memorable World Cup game we have seen this afternoon. Halldorsson was the hero of the afternoon, but you have to give credit to the whole of the Icelandic side for a fantastic team effort. Argentina will be left feeling a little peeved after missing a good chance to take three points from their opening game. This draw will fill Iceland with plenty of hope of somehow sneaking into the knockout stages should they be able to find something positive against Croatia and Nigeria. That's going to be all from me this afternoon, thanks for joining us!
