Argentina captain Lionel Messi took responsibility for the draw against Iceland after he failed to convert a penalty. It hurt Messi to miss the penalty and he took all the blame upon himself.
"It hurts me to have missed the penalty, because it was the decisive advantage," Messi said. "I feel responsible for not having been able to take the three points. I have no doubt that a goal from the penalty kick would have changed everything," Messi said after the match.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Sergio Aguero had put Argentina in front in the 19th minute before Iceland equalized just four minutes later with a calm finish from Alfred Finnbogason in the 23rd minute. After a frantic first half, the game became increasingly tight with Iceland defending very deep inside their area. Lionel Messi, who was marked heavily, did not have the best of games but he had the chance to put his team forward when Argentina were awarded a penalty after Maximilano Meza was fouled in the area. Messi however missed from the spot after a tame effort.
However, the Argentine playmaker remained hopeful that all was not lost. He felt that Argentina were the better side and deserved to win despite a gritty effort from debutants Iceland.
"We have not lost our hopes despite the draw, we still have the same desire," he said. "I think we deserved the victory. We worked hard trying to find spaces in the Icelandic defense, but we couldn't do it.
"This result doesn't have to weigh on us looking forward. We have a few days to rest and to prepare the next match," Messi concluded.
Messi had 11 shots in the match -- the most by a player since the 1970 World Cup, but he was denied by Iceland's Thor Halldorsson time and time again. Messi has also now failed to score in his past five games on the world's biggest stage, after finding the net in each of the group stage games in 2014. The Barcelona star has now missed four of his last seven penalties for club and country.
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