Belo Horizonte, June 21:
Lionel Messi’s magical left-foot produced another inspirational goal as Argentina managed 1-0 win over gritty Iran in a group F game of the World Cup here today.
With some of the most dogged defending that has been witnessed in this edition, Iranians nearly pulled off a memorable draw before the ‘Albiceleste’ skipper produced a precision left-footer that curled past goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, who had been brilliant under the bar.
With six points from two games, Argentina are well on course for a berth in the Round of 16 although their dependance on Messi and failure of the other forwards is becoming increasingly evident.
Iran predictably employed the ultra-defensive tactic by keeping atleast seven players in their own defensive third which frustrated the Argentine forwards Gonazalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero even though the South American side enjoyed 75 percent of the ball possession.
Messi operating from the attacking hole was always under double covering which kept him quiet save a few dead ball situations. His curling direct free-kick in the 32nd minute went over the horizontal.
The first time that Messi really could threaten was at the stroke of an hour when he sprinted down the middle and his left-footed placement using the instep was atleast a foot away from the near post.
He took a number of corner kicks and free-kicks but much to the dismay of the partisan fans failed to get the winner. Whenever Messi had the ball in possession, there was a trail of red-shirts following him. Defensive midfielder Andranik Timotian should be credited for keeping Messi quiet playing the role of a spoiler in the middle third.
With Diego Maradona watching from the stands, the ‘Alibiceleste’ couldn’t effectively decode the chink in the Iran defence in the first 45 minutes. (PTI)

The best chance for Argentina in the first half came in the 16th minute of the first half when Fernando Gago split the Irani defence with a lovely assist from the right which saw Higuain reach the spot but goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi showed good anticipatory skills to foil the attempt.
Haghighi again came to the fore when he effected a diving save off a curling placement from Sergio Aguero after Higuain set him up.
Ezequiel Garay and Marcos Rojo attempeted headers went off target as Iran didn’t attack much apart from a few sporadic counters.
The closest they came was in the 53rd minute when their celebrated striker Reza Ghoochannejhad’s straight header was saved by a diving Sergio Romero as the Iranian forward evaded Javier Mascherano to try the powerful nod.
Having gained confidence by keeping Argentina at bay, Iran started hitting the opposition defence on counters with Mascherano not exactly inspiring the highest level of confidence.
In the 66th minute Ashkan Dejagah nearly got Iran a goal but Romero spectacularly tipped it over crossbar denying the Fulham man what probably would have been his most memorable goal in the World Cup.
Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella ultimately changed both his frontmen Aguero and Higuain during the final quarter with Palacio and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Palacio got into the act in the 83rd minute when his header was parried away by Haghighi.
In the 86th minute, Ghoochannejhad pouched on a counter ball and beat Mascherano for pace but his placement wasn’t powerful enough with Romero effecting a diving save. (PTI)

Today’s Fixture
Belgium vs Russia 9:30 PM IST

Recife, June 21:
Former champions France were poised for a berth in the last-16 stage after pummelling Switzerland 5-2 while giant-killers Costa Rica pulled off another stunning show to beat Italy 1-0 and knock England out of the FIFA World Cup.
France, the 1998 champions, outclassed Switzerland in a group E clash to almost book a ticket for the pre-quarterfinals. In the final match of the evening, Ecuador beat Honduras 2-1 to keep their qualification hopes alive.
France were in complete command during their match against Switzerland which they won convincingly despite Karim Benzema missing a penalty.
The Real Madrid hitman did make amends with an opportunistic strike as did Olivier Giroud, with a header, and Blaise Matuidi off a counter. Diminutive Mathieu Valbuena and young Moussa Sissoko also didn’t miss out on converting the assists.(PTI)

Benzema provided a couple of assists apart from scoring his third goal for the Les Bleus in the tournament.
The FIFA Rankings went for a toss as the higher ranked Swiss men (No 6) were outplayed by Didier Deschamps’ men as the French manager is in pursuit of becoming only the third player-turned-manager to win the World Cup for his country.
Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo are the ones who have achieved the coveted feat.
Benzema’s close-range strike and a Sissoko effort added further gloss in the second period, before Blerim Dzemaili and Xhaka bagged late consolation goals for the losing team.
France are now on the brink of the last 16 having taken a maximum six points, while Switzerland still have work to do in their final pool encounter with Honduras.
Switzerland’s woes started early when Steve von Bergen caught a boot in the face from Giroud and had to be replaced.
And Giroud was in the thick of the action again when he put France ahead in the 17th minute.
The Arsenal striker leapt highest to thump Valbuena’s
corner past Benaglio who, despite getting a full hand to the ball, could not keep the effort out. Within 66 seconds, Frenchmen took complete control.
Benzema pounced on Valon Behrami’s poor pass before playing in Matuidi on the left of the box and he side-footed past Benaglio at the near-post, the goalkeeper perhaps beaten too easily.
France missed the chance to extend the lead in the 33rd minute when referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after Johan Djourou recklessly felled Benzema.
However, Benaglio dived to his right to keep out Benzema’s spot-kick before Yohan Cabaye inexplicably volleyed the rebound against the crossbar. But France did get a third just five minutes before the break.
Raphael Varane brought the ball away following a Swiss corner before producing an exquisite pass that sent Giroud free down the left and he in turn laid the ball across goal for Valbuena, who could not miss from inside the six-yard box. (PTI)

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: Facing difficulty in organizing coaching cum talent hunt camps in all age groups from Ranji trophy to Under-14 level in insufficient cricketing infrastructure available in Jammu, the joint secretary of Jammu wing of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Sudershan Mehta has urged the State Govt and the JKCA for the development of sufficient standard cricket infrastructure in Jammu.
Talking to EXCELSIOR, Mr Mehta said that the Jammu wing of JKCA has already submitted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Youth Services and Sports, Raman Bhalla and GGM Science College Principal with regard to development of infrastructure in MA Stadium and GGM Science College Hostel Ground to help the Association in honing the talent at grass-root level.
He said, there is dire need to develop main turf wicket at MA Stadium, besides developing two cement tracks and practice wickets at the same venue, apart from developing infrastructural facilities at Parade ground, which is the hub of cricket in the City, besides making Green Field Gandhi Nagar and Dogra Ground Shastri Nagar playable.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Jammu wing of JKCA is organizing coaching, fitness cum talent hunt camps in the age groups of Under-14, 16, 19, 25 and Ranji trophy probables which are being participated by around 1000 cricketers drawn from Jammu city and adjoining areas.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: J&K’s talented opening batsman, Shubham Khajuria has been selected for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bangalore.
The promising cricketer who was recently selected for North Zone team as Vice Captain to play in Col Hemu Adhikari Trophy at Mysore has been asked to report at NCA Bangalore.
Shubham has been selected for National Cricket Academy along with other 25 promising cricketers of the Country who were also part of Col. Hemu Adhikari Trophy.
At the Academy the young cricketers would be practicing   under the watchful eyes of the coaches of repute.
Talking to EXCELSIOR, Shubham said, “I am happy to be picked in the party, however, my ultimate goal is to play for India. It is for the third time that I have been called up for NCA where Country’s top cricketers hone their skills.
Shubham has become first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected for NCA for three consecutive years.
“It was quite expected. He is an exceptional talent and deserves this call-up. He, however, should work harder to make place in the final squad,” said Sudershan Mehta, joint secretary JKCA.
Shubham’s father, Pardeep Khajuria was ecstatic for the selection of his son in NCA.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: Opening batsman Vimarsh Kaw, speedster Sahil Sharma and wicketkeeper batsman Raman Thaploo guided Kishan Chand Cricket Club (KCCC) to a big win over Whites Cricket Club (WCC) in the ongoing Chevrolet Cricket Cup 2014, being sponsored by KC Motors Jammu at KC Public School ground adjacent to KC Sports Club, here.
Winning the toss and batting first, WCC scored a modest total of 105 runs in 18.4 overs. Arvind contributed 18 runs, while Deepu and Sachin chipped in with 16 runs each. For KCCC, Sahil Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, who scalped 4 important wickets in his 4 overs, while Tribhuvan bagged 2. Soumay, Vimarsh, Manik and Akash shared one wicket each.
In reply, KCCC, rode on a splendid opening partnership of unbeaten 106 runs to win the match easily by 10 wickets. Vimarsh Kaw played a gem of an innings of unbeaten 74 runs, studded with 3 massive sixes and 9 delectable boundaries, while Raman Thaploo remained unbeaten on valuable 24 runs, with the help of 2 crispy boundaries and one towering six.
Vimarsh of KCCC was declared man of the match for his brilliant knock of 74 runs and 1 wicket. Sadiq Hussain Malik, Rajinder Singh and Sohail Yusuf were the officials of the match.
Westside coupon worth Rs1000 was presented to the man of the match. Prizes in the tournament are being sponsored by KC Motors, Narwal, Jammu.