BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Lionel Messi scored a superb goal in stoppage time to give Argentina a 1-0 victory over Iran on Saturday and secure his teams place in the second round of the World Cup. Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys . Iran had defended solidly throughout the game and also took the match to Argentina in the second half, creating several chances to win the Group F match and cause a tournament sensation. But Iran was punished for those missed chances when Messi picked up the ball about 20 yards (meters) out and curled a shot into the left hand corner. It was a moment of individual brilliance, and showed why Messi has been voted world player of the year no fewer than four times. Up until that point, he had been kept quiet by stoic Iran defending, while Argentina had at times been exposed to counterattacks. Iran had several chances to win it, especially in the second half. The best of those opportunities came in the 67th minute, when midfielder Ashkan Dejagahs powerful header from close range was tipped just over the bar by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Earlier, lone striker Reza Ghoochannejhads header from close range was saved by Romero after a cross from the right. He later missed a chance for a late winner when his shot was again saved by Romero. Before the match, Iran faced criticism for its defensive tactics after a dour 0-0 draw against Nigeria. But before Messis strike, Iranian and Brazilian fans were singing "Ole, ole, ole, ole, Iran Iran!" in recognition of the teams attempts to score a winner. But Messi denied Iran what would have ranked as its greatest result by drawing with the former world champions. The victory sent the pro-Argentina crowd into raptures and most of them stayed in the stands well after the match, chanting and waving scarves and flags, and watching highlights -- including Messis goal -- on the big screens. It almost looked like Argentina coach Alejandro Sabellas decision to return to an attacking lineup would backfire. In Argentinas 2-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Group F opener, Sabella started with a more defensive 5-3-2 lineup with only two strikers. He then changed to a 4-3-3 formation in the second half -- a system favoured by Messi -- and he continued with that lineup at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte. Cheap Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys . Ramirez is still hitting behind Puig, only now they are in the third and fourth spots, and the change is starting to generate positive results for manager Don Mattingly. Cheap Adidas Hurricanes Jerseys . Ronaldo failed to connect on an ample number of opportunities at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. But Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez scored in each half for Madrid to come out of the first leg with the firm advantage. http://www.cheaphurricanesjerseys.com/ .com) - Manchester City will face a steep test in the Champions League knockout stage as the English champions were drawn with Barcelona on Monday.South Bend, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Anderson made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:45 remaining, then added two free throws with 21.5 seconds left to lift the third-ranked Virginia Cavaliers over the 13th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 62-56, on Saturday. Anderson ended with 11 points for the Cavaliers (15-0, 3-0 ACC), who are off to their best start since the 1980-81 season when they began 23-0 behind the play of the legendary Ralph Sampson. Darion Atkins added 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks for Virginia, which is one of just three unbeaten teams left in the country (Kentucky and Duke are the others). Malcolm Brogdon contributed 13 points. Pat Connaughton ended with 21 points and eight rebounds for the Irish (15-2, 3-1), who had an 11-game winning streak snapped. Demetrius Jackson and V.J. Beachem each scored 12 points. Notre Dame, which came in averaging 85.0 ppg, shot just 33.9 percent from the field and went 10-of-24 from beyond the arc. Beachem made a paair of 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the first half to give the Irish a 27-24 lead. Wholesale Hurricanes Jerseys. Connaughton then scored Notre Dames first seven points of the second half to open up a 34-26 margin. However, Virginia responded with a 13-3 run to go ahead 39-37. The Irish tied the score at 53 on Jerian Grants jumper with four minutes to play. Anderson made a 3-pointer at the other end to ignite a 9-0 Virginia surge. Brogdon made a layup and two free throws around Andersons two foul shots to make it 62-53. Notre Dame missed five shots during the stretch before Jackson hit a 3-pointer with two seconds to go. The Irish also had a turnover and Grant missed the front end of a one-and-one. Game Notes The Cavaliers have won eight straight, including two showdowns last season, over the Irish and lead the all-time series 8-1 ... Grant was held to six points and six assists ... Virginia shot 49 percent from the floor. ' ' '