The pressure was on Lionel Messi after Cristiano Ronaldo opened up his World Cup with a hat-trick against Spain.In the constant battle between the two stars, perhaps all it will take to separate the pair is a World Cup win.Messi came close four years ago when Argentina reached the final but he was unable to get them over the line.Now, he’s in Russia with an Argentina squad that he will be responsible for leading.Argentina have some talented players but they are a different team without Messi.They started their campaign against Iceland, who are fresh off their impressive performance at the 2016 European Championship.Jorge Sampaoli’s side were expected to cruise to victory but that really wasn’t the case.
Lionel Messi analysis
They took an early lead through Sergio Aguero’s fine strike but were instantly pegged back by Alfred Finnbogason.
Messi had the chance to give Argentina the lead following a clumsy challenge from Hordur Magnusson but the Barcelona star’s effort was saved.
Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague observed Messi closely and he noted some problems that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner faced during the match.
“Argentina only seem to step up a gear when Messi picks the ball,” Balague said.
“But when he does everybody in his team look at him... ‘marvelled’ at his talent?
“Couple of actions that end in frustration around the Iceland box with Leo involved.
“Then he picks the ball on the edge of box and looks for Alba who obviously is not there. Or anybody who thinks like that.
“So next time he has the ball in the same space, he shoots.
“Something similar to 2014 is happening.
“Messi and Sampaoli asking the defence to move few metres higher up the pitch. Nobody responds.
“Impossible to pressure high that way, impossible to play well with so many ways of thinking about the game. And so much fear.”
If Argentina can't resolve these issues, they stand no choice of winning the World Cup.