Coach still backs Messi

ARGENTINA coach Jorge Sampaoli has refused to blame Lionel Messi for a “frustrating” draw with World Cup debutant Iceland after he missed a penalty, backing his star man to deliver.

Messi blew a gilt-edged chance to seal victory when he missed a second-half penalty.

The Group D match ended 1-1 yesterday after Iceland’s Alfred Finnbogason cancelled out Sergio Aguero’s opening goal. It was a major embarrassment for the two-time world champion.

Messi is yet to win a major international tournament and, as his 31st birthday looms, time is running out. But Sampaoli said his side would regroup.