Lionel Messi and co. kick off their tournament campaign against the European upstarts when they meet in Moscow Iceland get a historic result as the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup take a point off Argentina. They fell behind to Sergio Aguero's goal but hit back quickly, with Alfred Finnbogason hitting back very quickly. From there, Iceland remained packed at the back and frustrated their opponents. FULL-TIME! ARGENTINA 1-1 ICELAND 90+4 Mins: Argentina have been really disappointing today. They've thrown everything forward but have created very little. Credit where it's due to Iceland but many will have expected more from the runners-up of 2014. 90+2 Mins: CLOSE! Messi fires towards goal once again but it's wide of the mark. It really hasn't been his game today. 90 Mins: Five minutes of added time, Iceland are within touching distance of a historic point. Substitution: Confirmation of that change, as Iceland scorer Finnbogason is replaced by Sigurdason. 88 Mins: SAVE! Mascherano tries his luck from outside the box but it's a comfortable save. Iceland are about to make their third and final change. 86 Mins: We've seen plenty of late goals already at this World Cup and Argentina will be praying for a late winner. Iceland are fighting with everything they've got. Substitution: Third and final change for Argentina, who introduce Higuain in place of Meza. 83 Mins: Messi trying to weave his way through the Iceland defence but there's no room to work with. The referee is letting a number of challenges go, which is frustrating Argentina. 81 Mins: WIDE! Messi sets his sights at goal from outside the box and he whips it just wide of the post. He's getting closer but still no goal. 79 Mins: Argentina banging on the door as Messi takes a ball down superbly inside the box but the ball is hooked away before he can strike at goal. Iceland are hanging on and there's plenty of time still to play. 77 Mins: Penalty shout! Pavon is brought down by Saeversson but the referee waves around the protests. Replays show another spot kick should have been awarded but the referee waves around the protests and opts not to consult VAR. Substitution: Iceland also make a change in midfield, replacing Gunnarsson with Skulason. Substitution: Is Sampaoli reading this feed? Pavon has been introduced to try and find some space to exploit, with Di Maria making way. 75 Mins: Plenty of attacks, plenty of tackles but still no sign of a winning goal 73 Mins: For all the possession Argentina have had, there really isn't much movement in behind. The potential introduction of Dybala or Pavon could change that. STAT: Argentina have failed to convert each of their last two penalties at the World Cup (Ariel Ortega v Sweden in June 2002 and Lionel Messi v Iceland today) 70 Mins: Iceland continue to pack the defence to try and limit Argentina's play. It's limiting the space but the attacks just keep on coming. 68 Mins: Argentina still look up for it though, that penalty miss has done nothing to change their style of play. It still looks like a goal will be scored before the final whistle. 66 Mins: How big a moment will that be for the World Cup? If Argentina drop points here, Messi will be criticised. On the flip side, Halldorsson may have just become a Iceland hero. 65 Mins: The corner came to nothing, You'd bet your house on Messi scoring from the spot but it's a woeful effort! Substitution: Confirmation of the Iceland change, as Gislason is introduced for Gudmundsson. 64 Mins: SAVED! Messi puts it to the keeper's right and Halldorsson dives across and palms it away, the danger isn't clear yet as Argentina have a corner. 63 Mins: Penalty for Argentina! Clumsy defending from Magnusson who shoved Meza in the back as Messi's cross came in. 60 Mins: Concern for Iceland and Gudmundsson requires treatment and it looks like the Burnley man will be taken off. 60 Mins: Banega is already starting to find space just inside the final third but Iceland have the defence packed. Finnbogason is isolated in attack. 58 Mins: Iceland will be happy with their response since the interval but it remains to be seen whether they push further forward. They would certainly be happy with a draw but we've already seen plenty of late goals at the tournament, so it could be a dangerous strategy to remain content. 56 Mins: Banega's introduction should give Argentina some more threat from midfield, as the partnership of Biglia and Mascherano was extremely conservative. Substitution: Lucas Biglia comes off for Ever Banega 53 Mins: You get the feeling that a goal is coming. Argentina remain on the front foot but Iceland look dangerous when they get forward. 50 Mins: Iceland win their first corner of the game as Gylfi Sigurdsson creeps into the box on the left. The Everton man whips it into the middle but Argentina get it away. 49 Mins: Argentina getting back into the rhythm that saw them dominate proceedings during the first half as the dictate the tempo of the game. STAT: Javier Mascherano is making his 144th appearance for Argentina in this match, overtaking Javier Zanetti as their most capped player 46 Mins: KICK-OFF! Argentina get us back underway for the second half. STAT: Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano completed 100% of his passes in the first half (70/70), completing seven more than the whole of the Iceland team Both sides look open defensively and the attackers will fancy their chances of scoring after the break. With Argentina able to call upon the likes of Dybala and Higuain off the bench, they'll be optimistic of finding an breakthrough - particularly if Iceland start to get tired as the match enters the latter stages. A brilliant half of football and one for Iceland to cherish. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring with a superb strike, netting his first World Cup goal, but Alfred Finnbogason made history for Iceland with his equaliser. We've seen chances at both ends since but the game remains delicately poised. HALF-TIME! ARGENTINA 1-1 ICELAND 45 Mins: CHANCE! Iceland come forward and Gylfi Sigurdsson manages to get away a weak shot, Caballero again parries it back into the middle but Argentina clear this time. 44 Mins: It's been a really entertaining half of football and a historic result for Iceland is there for the taking. For all the attacking class Argentina have, they do look weak defensively. 41 Mins: A big penalty shout for Argentina, as Meza's low drive is deflected behind off Ragnar Sigurdsson's arm but it wasn't deliberate. Argentina are furious but it looked to be the correct decision. 39 Mins: Another Argentina corner is headed away with ease. You have to wonder what Sampaoli's reaction will be at the break as they've wasted those opportunities. 37 Mins: Biglia has just tumbled in the box but isn't appealing for anything, while Iceland have their defence packed in an attempt to keep them contained. It's working for the time being. 35 Mins: Iceland will hope to keep it level heading into the interval but Argentina continue to pile forward. 33 Mins: OVER! Argentina are being restricted to shots from distance, as Biglia curls an effort over the bar. 30 Mins: Iceland will be thrilled with their performance in the opening half hour and have certainly risen to the occasion. Argentina are growing increasingly frustrated. STAT: There were just 4 minutes and 15 seconds between Argentina taking the lead and Iceland's equaliser. 27 Mins: Argentina remain on the front foot, with Messi continuing to cause problems. Iceland are certainly up for it though and have impressed so far. STAT: Aguero's goal was his first at a World Cup, coming in his ninth appearance in the competition. 23 Mins: GOAAAAAL! Iceland level almost immediately. Caballero fumbled a low cross from Sigurdsson and Alfred Finnbogason was there to slot home Iceland's first ever World Cup goal. Great start to this game. 1-1 21 Mins: SAVE! Argentina are in top gear and Messi looks to be in the mood, picking the ball up outside the area and curling towards goal but seeing his effort saved. 19 Mins: GOAL! Sergio Aguero scores his first ever World Cup goal with a clinical strike, slamming the ball into the top corner whilst surrounded by Icelandic bodies. Argentina 1-0 Iceland STAT: Lionel Messi scored in all three of his group stage appearances for Argentina at the 2014 World Cup. 17 Mins: SAVE! Messi has his first shot of the afternoon, firing an attempt from distance that is punched away by Halldorsson. 14 Mins: The atmosphere in the stadium is incredible. There's plenty of fans from both sides and they're optimistic about their chances of securing a result. 12 Mins: Di Maria's delivery is poor though, easily hooked away by Finbogason at the edge of the area. 11 Mins: The game has really started to open up after the early Argentina pressure but the South American giants continue to pile forward, winning the game's first corner. 9 Mins: WIDE! A golden opportunity for Iceland to take the lead! A defensive mishap from an Argentina goal kick concedes possession but Bjarnason can't hit the target despite having the goal at his mercy. 8 Mins: CLOSE! Another free-kick delivery from Messi causes problems for Iceland, with Tagliafico flicking on a header but sees his effort bounce wide of the mark. 7 Mins: Iceland have barely seen any of the ball so far but have been very aggressive in the opening stages, already conceding a number of free-kicks. 5 Mins: CHANCE! Messi takes a free-kick on the left side, curling it into the box and it bounces all the way through without a touch from an attacker or a defender. 3 Mins: Iceland are keeping very tight defensively, restricting the room that Argentina have to work with, but it's the South American side who have dominated the early proceedings. 1 Min: KICK-OFF! Iceland get us underway at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow! 5 Mins to KO: National anthems underway, it's almost time for the second game of today's football frenzy. 10 Mins to KO: Also worth keeping your eyes on the stands, as Iceland will bring an incredible atmosphere. Their thunder clap got everyone talking two years ago and it's almost time to bring it to the world stage. 15 Mins to KO: In a group alongside Croatia and Nigeria, who play later on Saturday, it's difficult to predict who will emerge. Argentina are the favourites to top the group but second-spot is certainly up for grabs. If Iceland get a result today, it will be wide open. Messi has scored four and assisted one of Argentina’s last seven goals at the World Cup finals. Gylfi Sigurdsson is Iceland's biggest attacking threat, boasting 19 goals, but they will have to be strong defensively. That could leave Finnbogason, leading the line, feeding on scraps and the central midfielders will have to get stuck in to quell attacks from the back. Gunnarson, Iceland's skipper, could be crucial. While Messi may be the star of the show, it would be incredibly unwise to deem Argentina as a one-man team. Aguero has proven himself to be one of the deadliest strikers in European football in recent years, Angel Di Maria remains a threat either through the middle or out wide. This will be the first ever encounter between Argentina and Iceland. Iceland have a number of familiar names in their ranks after catching the eye in Euro 2016, including Gylfi Sigurdsson, Gudmundsson and Gunnarsson. It's a different calire of challenge for Iceland in this match though, with many of the players coming up against stars they would have only dreamed of playing a few years ago. Jorge Sampaoli named his Argentina line-up yesterday, so there's no surprises in that aspect. Aguero gets the nod ahead of Higuain, while there is plenty of attacking flair that can be introduced off the bench if required. Messi, named Player of the Tournament four years ago, will have the eyes of the world on him. Iceland, meanwhile, have already made history by becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup.<doc-sep>The 2018 World Cup is underway. CBS Sports will have you covered for each game, all the important news and more, as well as profiles of all of the teams. After becoming one of the stories at Euro 2016, Iceland was one of the teams to watch entering the 2018 World Cup. At the biggest of tournaments for the first time in their history, Iceland came up with a massive draw of powerhouse Argentina in their first match. However, the island country then fell to Nigeria and Croatia to bounce them from the tournament. Here's what you need to know about Iceland at the World Cup. Competition history Previous World Cup appearances: None Matches Saturday, June 16: Iceland 1, Argentina 1 Friday, June 22: Nigeria 2, Iceland 0 Tuesday, June 26: Croatia 2, Iceland 1 Roster This will be Iceland's debut at a World Cup. Getty Images Provisional squad (will be trimmed to 23 for the World Cup): Goalkeepers: Hannes Halldorsson (Randers), Runar Runarsson (Nordsjaelland), Frederik Schram (Roskilde). Defenders: Kari Arnason (Aberdeen), Holmar Eyjolfsson (Levski Sofia), Rurik Gislason (Sandhausen), Sverrir Ingason (Rostov), Hordur Magnusson (Bristol City), Birkir Saevarsson (Valur), Ragnar Sigurdsson (Rostov), Ari Skulason (Lokeren). Midfielders: Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), Samuel Fridjonsson (Valerenga), Johann Gudmundsson (Burnley), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City), Emil Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton), Olafur Skulason (Karabukspor), Arnor Traustason (Malmo). Forwards: Jon Bodvarsson (Reading), Alfred Finnbogason (Augsburg), Albert Gudmundsson (PSV), Bjorn Sigurdarson (Rostov). Best Player Gylfi Sigurdsson. The attacking midfield is talented, smart and creative, and he's the engine in the team's attack. Though his season at Everton didn't go as he had hoped, he's still the man for this team and will be a key to any type of success. Player to watch Albert Gudmundsson. The 20-year-old winger is a young, talented winger at PSV with a bright future. And with the national team, he's scored three goals in four games, making more of an impact than expected. He likely won't start, but he is somebody who, if he can make an impact in the first couple games, he could get a chance in the third match to show what he can do from the get-go. Outlook Euro 2016 was their first appearance at a major tournament, and they surpassed all expectations. But can they do it again, this time at the World Cup? They face a tough group with three teams more talented than them, but heart and teamwork can overcome the lack of pure, top-tier talent. Opening up against Argentina means they'll be under pressure in the second game against Nigeria, assuming they lose to Lionel Messi and company. This team can get out of this group, but it isn't likely.<doc-sep>
The PSV forward has explained his national team's success and thinks they can upset yet more big names at the 2018 World Cup Iceland's first game in a major tournament saw them hold Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a 0-0 draw at Euro 2016, and they will be hoping for a similar result on Saturday when they face Lionel Messi's Argentina . Ronaldo slammed Iceland's 'small mentality' after the match in France but they went on to reach the quarter finals, famously defeating Roy Hodgson's England in the knockout stages. Their population of 334,252 makes Iceland the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup, but they have been springing surprises for almost half a decade. Even coming up against the iconic Messi, perhaps facing his last chance to taste international glory on the grandest stage of them all, does not faze PSV's Albert Gudmundsson, the youngest player in Iceland's squad, and he believes that he and his team-mates have the ability to successfully nullify the Barcelona star, having taken a keen interest in the Catalan side. Indeed, the La Liga giants used to have Eidur Gudjohnsen, arguably the greatest Icelandic player of all time, on their books. "Of course, I am happy to be part of this," he told Goal. "It hadn’t been easy for us. Our first ever game in the Euros for our national team was against Cristiano Ronaldo. The first game ever for us in the World Cup is now against Messi. So yeah, it has something to do with our attitude and how we go into the games. "We know we don’t have the same names but we go into them with eleven against eleven. We work our asses off for each other and then most of the time we get some results back for it. "I liked watching Barcelona. It played a role that Gudjohnson played there but I also liked to watch Messi, a lot. It was Messi and then the whole Barcelona team. If one stands out then it is Messi. I love the way he plays and we are going to play against him. "I should know about how he is going to move over the pitch as I have watched him since he was a teenager. I think maybe afterwards you could think like that [about the excitement of facing Messi] but during the game that’s not what you think about and it is eleven opponents and your ten team-mates. "You just try to get all three points and a minimum of one point, do your best and then after maybe you can feel what you have achieved then. I see it as teamwork. If we look at when Messi has the ball we have one defender on him and then another one close to them. It is going to be hard to take the ball off him. "You obviously may look at going two versus one with him when he’s on the ball. If we look at the games that Chelsea won against Barcelona, like the semi-finals, Chelsea defended really well. Playing 4-4-2, good defending, looking to keep a clean sheet then they only needed one chance to win the game." The PSV forward had trials at Arsenal and Liverpool, but chose to go to the Netherlands in search of more game time. The Arsenal supporter counts Thierry Henry as one of his heroes, but, despite his criticism of Iceland, he retains an admiration for Ronaldo, whom he believes is Messi's equal. "It is hard to compare these players. They are different and I am a huge fan of Ronaldo’s too. I love Ronaldo’s work rate and attitude," he added. "Many people say he is arrogant but I think it is just that winning mentality that he has. For Messi, I love how easily he plays football. Everything looks so easy for him and I love his skills." Gudmundsson has a family that has played a huge role in the history of the sport in his home country. His great grandfather, also called Albert Gudmundsson, played for both Arsenal and AC Milan. He was the first ever professional Icelandic footballer and the second ever foreign player to line up for the Gunners.