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29 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 JUNE 2018 SPORTS WORLD CUP FOOTBALL Lionel Messi misses penalty as newcomers hang on FRANCE needed a spot of VAR help and a late deflected Paul Pogba effort to get the better of Australia 2-1 in their World Cup opener. Despite a bright start it was a large- ly lacklustre performance from Les Bleus who struggled to break down a well-disciplined Australian side who worked tirelessly to restrict the space for their high-profile opponents. France needed the help of VAR to take the lead when Antoine Griez- mann scored from a penalty only awarded after referee Andres Cunha asked for a replay of the incident and decided a penalty should be awarded. Australia levelled quickly, Mile Jedi- nak scoring from the spot also after Samuel Umtiti's bizarre handball. But France got the win as Pogba scored with 10 minutes to go – his de- flected effort looping over Matt Ryan and in off the crossbar and the goal given after goal-line technology con- firmed the ball had crossed the line. It was a narrow escape for France's youthful side – their youngest World Cup line-up since 1930 in fact – who'll need to improve to prove themselves as one of the tournament favourites. LIONEL Messi missed a pen- alty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by World Cup debu- tants Iceland in Moscow. The smallest nation ever to make it to the World Cup fi- nals showed the same sort of grit and determination that saw them make a surprising quarter-final run at Euro 2016 in France. Sergio Aguero gave Argenti- na the lead with a superb turn and finish on 19 minutes but Iceland had been matching their far more illustrious rivals and levelled just four minutes later. Argentina were caught play- ing out from the back and the ball fell for Alfred Finnbogas- on to slot home Iceland's first World Cup goal. That eventually led to Ice- land's first World Cup point but only after goalkeeper and part-time film director Hannes Halldorsson provided the Hollywood ending by sav- ing Messi's spot-kick just after the hour mark. The Barcelona superstar has had some severe trouble from 12 yards as that made it four misses from his last seven penalties, Halldorsson diving to his right to save comfort- ably. Argentina had to settle for a point in what now looks a much more open Group D than originally thought. THINK MAGAZINE OUT WITH THE MALTATODAY ON SUNDAY 24 JUNE Deflected Paul Pogba effort gives France narrow win over Australia France celebrate their late winner against Australia Lionel Messi reacts after Iceland score against Argentina