Messi and Rojo send Argentina to the knockouts in dramatic fashion

Argentina came into the game in near-crisis, after a 3-0 thrashing by Croatia left their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 hanging by a thread, so it was no surprise when Jorge Sampaoli made widespread changes to his lineup. The South American side reverted to a back four, with Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega returning to the team. Nigeria came in off the back of a victory over Iceland, and understandably named an unchanged XI.

The 'Albiceleste' needed a fast start, and that's what they got, after a scrappy opening. Both sides looked nervous in the first ten minutes, but Argentina's captain stepped in to settle the nerves. Leo Messi looked back to his normal self in the first half, and he found his first goal of the tournament in minute 15.

The forward received a fantastic lofted through-ball from Ever Banega, controlling it on the move to find space behind the Nigerian back line. With his pace only the keeper had a chance of stopping him, but Francis Uzoho could do nothing as Messi fired it across towards the back post to put Argentina 0-1 up.

The goal served to shock Nigeria, and from that point on, Argentina started to dominate the ball. There weren't many clear-cut chances in the first half, but the majority went to the team in blue and white. At half-time, though, the score remained at 0-1.

Out of the blocks after the break the 'Super Eagles' had more about them, clearly inspired by words from Gernot Rohr in the changing room. They needed a goal to progress and they got one almost straight away, after Javier Mascherano gifted them a penalty in the 49th minute. 

The defensive midfielder hauled down Leon Balogun in the box, and after consultation with VAR a penalty was awarded. Victor Moses was the man to take, and he slotted it home with great composure, sending international debutant Franco Armani the wrong way.

 

June 26, 2018

The goal meant that Nigeria would go through as long as they didn't concede, and they were emboldened further by this, creating much more in the second 45 minutes than the first. They almost made it two through substitute Odion Ighalo, who missed a golden chance and was denied a penalty (again, after VAR consultation).

Their failure to grab a second ended up costing them though, as Argentina increased the pressure and the pace in the final stages. The South Americans were desperate not to crash out, and they managed to force the issue in the 86th minute, when Marcos Rojo scored a massive goal.

For some reason the centre-back was positioned in the Nigerian penalty area during his side's late offensive charge, and he was in exactly the right spot when Gabriel Mercado whipped a ball into the box from the right wing. Rojo thrashed a fantastic finish into the bottom right corner, giving Uzoho no chance, and Argentina moved back into second spot in Group D.

 

June 26, 2018

With Iceland 1-2 down in the other game of the night, Argentina just needed to hang on for ten minutes, and that they did, seizing a huge three points. Both games drew to a close and Messi and co. sealed their place in the knockout stages in dramatic fashion. They will now face France in their next game, and they will need to step it up once more in what promises to be an intriguing game. 

It was a heartbreaking result for Nigeria, who played well after the break, and were on their way through until the 86th minute. Their fifth World Cup defeat to Argentina put them third in the group, bringing an end to their campaign. They are a young side, though, and with more experience they could have won this. The African side should go into the next tournament with hope.

 

June 26, 2018