Argentina’s modern-day Maradona boosted to fill boots v Iran

Argentina’s jinkster extraordinaire, AKA Lionel Messi, lifted a considerable weight off his slender shoulders by firing his nation’s winner during their Group F opener against Bosnia.

Now, ahead of Messi and Argentina’s next assignment against Group F minnows Iran, Ladbrokes are offering customers enhanced odds if the number 10 scores 2+ goals.

Grabbing at least a brace against the Iranians was 7/4, but the firm have hiked the price up to 7/2.

Scoring two goals in a single game may seem like a tough ask for your average front man, but it’s more akin to child’s play for the four-time Ballon d’or winner.

The Barcelona-based goal machine – who supposedly had a quiet-ish season – scored multiple times on nine separate occasions during the 2013/14 campaign.

While most strikers would be delighted with scoring a single hat-trick over a season, or in some cases a career, Messi managed just the four in Catalan colours this term en route to 37 goals all told for club and country.

A goal in his last two Argentina appearances bodes very well, especially as his strike against Bosnia came about after a trademark mazy run which shows his confidence levels are right up.

Argentina, who are many people’s fancy for glory at 7/2, are as skinny as 1/8 to inflict defeat on Iran.

So if the traffic is all going to be of the one-way variety, expect master Messi to be driving Argentina’s bus.

Ladbrokes are certainly expecting a flurry of La Albiceleste goals as the South Americans are odds on at 3/4 to register over 2.5 as a team.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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