RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Argentina will be looking to seal its place in the knockout stages of the World Cup with a match to spare when Lionel Messi and his teammates face Iran on Saturday.
The Iranians are bound to make life difficult for one of the tournament favorites, as they did for Nigeria in a gritty 0-0 draw. But Messi’s superb winner against Bosnia-Herzegovina was a reminder why he has been voted world player of the year four times.
Germany, which opened with a 4-0 demolition of Portugal, can take a giant stride toward the last 16 when it takes on a Ghana side that slipped to a late 2-1 defeat by the United States.
The last game of the day pitches Nigeria against the Bosnians.
Things to watch for Saturday: