MESSI NO RONNIE ON THE SPOT

LIONEL MESSI suffered a penalty nightmare as Argentina were caught cold by World Cup debutants Iceland. Messi, under pressure to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular start to the tournament for Portugal on Friday night, watched in horror as Hannes Halldorsson saved his weak 64th-minute spot-kick. Manchester City star Sergio Aguero had put Argentina in front only for Alfred Finnbogason to equalise for the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup finals.

And Halldorsson’s save from Messi (left) meant the two-time winners, who lost to Germany in the final four years ago, got off to a disappointing start.

Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli said: “It’s in the past. We need to be strong. We have all the tools to beat anybody.”