Tehran, June 23: Iranian press praised their football team's performance in the FIFA World Cup match against Argentina but expressed their dissatisfaction about the "unjust" referee who ignored a penalty appeal for Iran.

Iran's media believed Serbian referee Milorad Mazic did not give a penalty which if awarded could have been changed the Group F encounter's result, reports Xinhua.

Iran defended bravely against Argentina during the entire game except for a deadly strike from Lionel Messi in injury time.

Iran local newspaper Jam-e-Jam headlined, "Argentina + the referee 1, Iran 0," while covering the news, and published a photo of Iranian forward Ashkan Dejagah blocked down in the box by Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta.

The Quds paper said, "Argentina won because of the referee", while the government-run Iran daily lamented "Iranian stars: victims of injustice."

Though defeated, Iran still satisfied Tehran football fans that went on streets and celebrated the great show which the 7 Sobh daily called "the most beautiful display of Iran's football history."

IANS