Argentina vs Iran
Argentina players celebrate after defeating Iran in their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters

Argentina secured qualification to the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup following a narrow 1-0 win over minnows Iran, thanks to an injury time winner from talisman Lionel Messi.

Despite many expecting Argentina to beat Iran with ease, the Asian side gave the two-time World Cup champions a run for their money.

Iran came very close to breaking the deadlock in the 4th minute of the game. They won a free-kick in a very dangerous position following a handball from Pablo Zabaleta. Ashkan Dejagah whipped in an excellent ball into the box but Jalal Hosseini could not get his header on target.

La Albiceleste replied by creating a couple of chances in the space of six minutes. While Gonzalo Higuain tested Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi with a close-range effort in the 13th minute, Angel di Maria's shot narrowly missed the target six minutes later.

Argentina again threatened in the 21st minute through Sergio Aguero, whose effort from inside the box was kept out by Haghighi.

The South American side continued to dominate in the latter stages of the first half as Messi swung in a free-kick over the crossbar in the 36th minute, before Ezequiel Garay failed to keep his header down a minute later.

Iran got the final chance of the first half when Hosseini rose above his marker and connected with Dejagah's corner. However, he was unable to keep his header down and the ball flew over the crossbar.

Argentina were unable to penetrate Iran's defence after the break as well even though Messi created a couple of chances early on. While the Barcelona striker's clever pass was wasted by Zabaleta in the 50th minute, he was unable to keep his own shot down at the hour mark.

Argentina got more and more desperate and started throwing the kitchen sink at Iran towards the end of the game. Despite the introduction of two new attackers in Rodrigo Palacio and Ezequiel Lavezzi, they were unable to break down the Iranian defence.

Finally, with a goalless draw looking imminent, Messi went and grabbed the winner in the first minute of injury time. The 26-year-old forward cut in from the right and curled an unstoppable effort into the top left corner, snatching a dramatic win for Argentina.

Catch the Highlights of the match below

Argentina vs Iran
Iran's Alireza Haghighi jumps for the ball against Argentina's Ezequiel Garay during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Iran's Jahanbakhsh is challenged by Argentina's Mascherano during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Iran's Ghoochannejhad fights for the ball with Argentina's Fernandez during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Argentina's Messi fights for the ball with Iran's Dejagah during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Romero makes a save against a header by Iran's Ashkan Dejagah during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the the Mineirao stadiumReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Iran's goalkeeper Haghighi makes a save during their 2014 World Cup Group F match against Argentina at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Argentina's Fernandez tries to get past a scrum of Iranian players during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Iran's Ghoochannejhad attempts to score a header during their 2014 World Cup Group F match against Argentina at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Argentina's Sergio Aguero fights for the ball against Iran's Ashkan Dejagah and Javad Nekounam during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Iran's goalkeeper Haghighi fails to save a goal by Argentina's Messi during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters
Argentina vs Iran
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Iran during their 2014 World Cup Group F match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo HorizonteReuters