Argentina were rescued by Lionel Messi's wonder-strike in injury time to defeat Iran 1-0 Saturday and guarantee qualification to the knock-out phase of the World Cup. Messi, and Argentina, had been disappointing throughout the game but this was forgotten in the 91st minute when the Barcelona striker curled a shot from 20 metres beyond keeper Alireza Haghighi, dpa reported. Iran had defended bravely throughout the match and as the contest progressed they had looked the more likely to take victory against their stronger opponents. But Sergio Romero saved from Reza Ghoochannejhad and Ashkan Dejagah either side of Dejagah having a strong penalty claim waved away to set the stage for Messi's moment of magic. Messi had scarcely been involved until his last second intervention. He took a relatively harmless pass from the right flank, moved a stepaway from his marker and made the space required to send his shot arcing into the far corner of the net. It broke the hearts of Iran who deserved better but are now on the verge of elimination from the World Cup with just one point from two games. -- SPA 21:52 LOCAL TIME 18:52 GMT تغريد