Argentina vs Iran ESPN TV Start Time: World Cup 2014 Football Today
Argentina will play Iran on Saturday in the first of three games today at the World Cup 2014 tournament in Brazil. This Group F tie could see Argentina qualify for the knock out stages of they can gain a second straight win in the tournament today. However, Iran put up a stiff fight against Nigeria in their opening game and managed to gain a draw. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the ESPN network.
Javier Mascherano will earn his 100th cap for Argentina today, becoming only the fourth Argentinian to accomplish that landmark. However, he could be played in a re-shaped 4-3-3 formation as striker Gonzalo Higuain has been rumored to have received a recall back to the starting line up. Maxi Rodriguez and Hugo Campagnaro could be dropped to the substitutes bench.
Meanwhile, the team news for Iran is that they are likely to stick with the same team that fought so hard against Nigeria in their opening match. That means they will try and counter the attacking players from Argentina by putting numbers in midfield, and playing with a lone striker up front.
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Argentina are second favorites for the World Cup this year. They managed to break down a tough Bosnia team in their opening encounter, but they will face another team today who is likely to sit deep and repel the pressure. They may need a touch of magic from one of their star players to find the opening today, but will have to be careful pushing forward as Iran no doubt will be hoping to soak up pressure and then hit Argentina on the counter-attack.
Iran have only ever won one World Cup game in their history; on June 21, 1998 – exactly 16 years to the day from today's match – when they shocked the USA. However, they arguably have an even tougher task today against an Argentina side many are touting to go all the way this year.
Argentina vs Iran will kick off at 12 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the ESPN network.
