Iceland’s Hannes Halldorsson admitted that he attempted to get into Lionel Messi’s head before successfully saving the Argentina forward’s penalty.

The goalkeeper denied Messi from the spot midway through the second half of the 1-1 World Cup draw in Moscow, diving low to his right.

Halldorsson “had a feeling” that Messi would choose to shoot that way after researching the Barcelona forward’s previous penalties.

“I did some homework because I knew this was a situation that could come up. It was a long shot but it happened,” said Halldorsson.

Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Willy Caballero 5/10 Did not look particularly comfortable at any stage of the game and like the rest of the defence a bit haphazard at times - susceptible for the first goal. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Eduardo Salvio 6/10 A rather uninspiring performance - not much to say either negatively or positively. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Nicolas Otamendi 6/10 A strong presence but has also got a mistake and chaotic decision in him. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Marcos Rojo 5/10 Doesn’t appear to be at full fitness. Hasn’t been in the first team at Manchester United for most of the season and it showed with Finnbogason running him ragged. Did, inadvertently, set up Argentina’s only goal, mind. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Nicolas Tagliafico 6/10 A very reasonable display and looked okay going forward with a cleverly flicked header. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Javier Mascherano 7/10 Showed a good range of passing but a bit leggy. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Lucas Biglia 7/10 Looked good in stages, had a couple of threatening moments and linked up the play nicely. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Maximiliano Meza 6/10 A few histrionic moments but a relatively decent performance in general and made the run for the penalty. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Lionel Messi 6/10 Not the main man today, but good at what he did. Always looks a threat and tested the keeper enough times BUT, importantly, missed the golden opportunity provided to him with another penalty miss. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Angel Di Maria 5/10 Looked good in stages, had a couple of threatening moments and linked up the play nicely. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Sergio Aguero 8/10 Fabulous play for the opening goal to give himself the space. General play was reasonable but doesn’t matter when you can produce moments of magic. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Hannes Þór Halldórsson 9/10 Strong and decisive (unlike his opposite number), making saves when called upon and saved the penalty from Messi. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Birkir Már Sævarsson 7/10 A good and competent display, part of an organised unit. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Kári Árnason 7/10 A key figure in iceland’s defence looked at ease defending against some of the world’s best talent. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Ragnar Sigurðsson 8/10 Crucial interceptions and a threat going forwards as well. Can be proud of his performance. Getty Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Hörður Björgvin Magnússon 6/10 A steady if unspectacular game but a big part of Iceland’s defensive block in general. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings JB Gudmundsson 7/10 Played a big part for Burnley this year in helping them qualify for Europa League and was equally instrumental today before his injury on the hour mark. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Aron Gunnarsson 6/10 Not his best game, but not bad. Maybe we can blame the ref for standing on his heel. Still led the team with vigour. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Emil Hallfreðsson 7/10 Strong performance in general and some threatening long-throws. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Birkir Bjarnason 6/10 The Aston Villa man who opened Iceland’s account at Euro 2016 squandered the chance to do so here but a generally good performance. Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Gylfi Sigurðsson 8/10 Iceland’s best known player didn’t let down his team today, creating chances and showed Iceland’s coolness on the ball. AFP/Getty Images Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings Alfreð Finnbogason 9/10 Led the line like a true number 9 (despite being a no.11) but scored the goal and looked a menace throughout. AFP/Getty Images

“I looked at a lot of penalties from Messi and I also looked at how I’ve been behaving during the last couple of penalties.

“I tried to get in their minds, so they’d be thinking about me. I had a good feeling he’d go this way today.”

Iceland subsequently held out to claim a draw in their first World Cup appearance and boost their hopes of qualifying from Group D.

Halldorsson and his team-mates – quarter-finalists at the European Championship two years ago – greeted the final whistle with jubilant celebrations.

“It is a big draw for us, we felt at last Euros how important it is to get on the board right away if we are going to reach our goal to qualify,” the goalkeeper said.

“We were playing against one of the best teams in the world, against the best players in the world, in our first World Cup.”

Halldorsson went on to compare the result to Iceland’s 1-1 draw with Portugal at Euro 2016.