Nigeria 1-2 Argentina: World Cup highlights and recap

Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 in World Cup Group D on Tuesday, June 26. Here are the highlights from the match.

Argentina entered their final group stage match, against Nigeria, in a precarious position. Anything less than a win would see them crash out at the group stage, a fitting end for a campaign characterized by awful, incoherent play on the pitch and daily controversy off it, most of which centered on manager Jorge Sampaoli.

Still, with Lionel Messi in the side, they had a chance. And Messi started the game in a much different mood than he had been in during the 3-0 loss to Croatia, lively in possession and more willing to make runs without the ball. He opened the scoring in the 14th minute, latching onto Ever Banega’s pass before finishing with his right foot.

Argentina had been the better side, but gifted Nigeria a route back into the game early in the second half, Javier Mascherano dragging down Leon Balogun in the penalty area. After reviewing the play, the referee awarded the spot kick, which Victor Moses rolled coolly to the left of the keeper.

Sampaoli’s side almost gave away another penalty 20 minutes later. Marcos Rojo headed a cross clear onto his own arm. The referee initially waved it away, but reviewed the play on the advice of the VAR, before eventually settling on his original decision. The ball had struck Rojo’s hand, but it wasn’t deliberate.

Still, with the score level at 1-1, Argentina needed to go for the win, and that meant leaving space at the back, which the Super Eagles nearly capitalized on several times. But the Albiceleste‘s persistence finally paid off in the 86th minute, Rojo, of all people, popping up to volley home an excellent winner.

Next: Who is the better player: Ronaldo or Messi?

Highlights

The round of 16 starts this Saturday and runs through July 3.