Surprised at Iran's actions, sweaty Messi celebrates victory: "It was lovely"

Crack admits he did not expect such a good defensive performance of the opponent, underscores importance of vague, but warns: "We have a lot to improve"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          A happy hero, patient and open smile. Lionel Messi was on good terms with life in the mixed zone after the 1-0 victory over Iran on Saturday in Mineirão for the second round of Group F of the World Cup. Decisive once again with a goal in stoppage time after low profile, the Argentine captain met the press at length and concluded very early rating for the quarter-final. Although the performance below the average of Argentina, the ace stressed the importance of reaching out to six points.

- It was lovely for all, the way the game was played and win in the end. If you go out with 0-0, was going to be tricky to match against Nigeria. Happy for what happened. That this group follow with the same hope and will. We have a lot to improve, but we will go on trying.

Messi still the difficulty that Argentina had to create chances spoke before a well-rival technically inferior. Well organized defensively by Carlos Queiroz, the Iranians surprised the Argentine playmaker and still led with good kickback danger in the second half. Both the goalkeeper Sergio Romero shared the role in the game.

Iran did not expect this, but gave us no spaces. We could not find a threaded ball that both like and do well 

Messi

- I am very happy for the result, for the classification. It was tricky, difficult game, and in no time got spaces in a well posted defense. It's nice to finish winning this way, and the job gives us tranquility. In fact, Iran did not expect this, but gave us no spaces. We could not find a threaded ball that both like and do well. The game is complicated, we seek in every way to the end.

The Argentina captain also praised the persistence of staff who remained on offense and smothered, particularly after the entries Palacio and Lavezzi. Messi said that the oppressive afternoon heat of Belo Horizonte also complicated offensive actions of his team.

- We try, we try, not happening. Luckily, we got in the end. The matches must be played until the last minute. We played at a slow pace also by the field, which was dry and very hot. When a team puts so many players behind, is very difficult. There did not before because we did not want, but the circumstances of the match. The reality is that we have much to improve.

On Wednesday, the team sees Messi Nigeria, at 13h (GMT), at the Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre. 

Messi slams category to put 1-0 on the scoreboard Mineirão (Photo: Reuters)