NIGERIA 2-3 ARGENTINA
Well that was fun. Argentina and Nigeria alone equalled the goal tally for the entire group entering today, and Argentina came out the victor in an entertaining game that was enough for both sides to advance to the knockout round.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina before everyone was even settled in their seats. A long lobbed pass found Angel di Maria whose shot caught the post twice as well as Vincent Enyeama's back before caroming out in to the penalty area. Nigeria had collapsed on to their line though and it was a straightforward finish for Messi who hammered it in to the top of goal for the early lead.
Nigeria weren't waiting around to respond though. Just a minute later, Ahmed Musa was played down the left wing and beat Pablo Zabaleta to the inside before curling a shot around Sergio Romero and inside the far post. It was great run by Musa and a fantastic shot to put Nigeria right back in the game.
Argentina continued to attack at high-tempo in what was their best game of the tournament so far. Higuain nearly found the lead again in the 9th minute as he beat Enyeama outside his goal but left himself little angle to shoot and put his strike in to the outer netting. Marcos Rojo later in the half was able to get a head to a cross in front of goal but deflected just wide.
Just before halftime, the Messi show started again. Denied in the 44th minute by Enyeama on a free kick, Messi found himself with another spot kick from similar range in injury time. He made no mistake on this one, floating the ball over the wall and in to the top corner as a bemused Enyeama could only watch and dig the ball out of his goal.
Nigeria came out of halftime determined not to be denied in this game. Emmanuel Emenike held up a long ball enough to flick it off to Musa on a fast break. Musa calmly put the ball away as Sergio Romero guessed wrong and it was 2-2 on the strength of braces from both Messi and Musa.
Not unlike Nigeria in the opening minutes though, Argentina were quick to respond. Enyeama did well to punch away a long Angel di Maria shot, but the ensuing corner kick fell on to the knee of Rojo and flicked home despite Rojo not being prepared to make the finish.
Nigeria found themselves short on chances the balance of the match but came close to tying for a third time on two occasions. John Obi Mikel found himself on the ball goalside in the penalty area but tried to chip across for a teammate and the play was wasted. Had room to shoot on the play.
And late in the game, Musa again went flying downfield on a break but could not beat Zabaleta on this occasion and shot was blocked and cleared away.
Nigeria needed a point to secure advancement in this game but Iran's loss to Bosnia assured they will go through regardless. Both sides will carry injury concerns forward from this game. Sergio Aguero limped off to injury midway through the first half and Michel Babatunde appeared to break his arm after it was struck by a shot from teammate Ogenyi Onazi.
Goals
Nigeria: Ahmed Musa (4', 47')
Argentina: Lionel Messi (3', 45+1'), Marcos Rojo (50')
Discipline
Argentina: N/A
Man of the Match
Easily Lionel Messi. Has somehow had a quiet tournament despite 4 goals in 3 matches and being tied for the scoring lead with Barcelona teammate Neymar. Scored two first-half goals in leading the way for Argentina. Easy cleanup on the first goal but it was a brilliant free kick for the second which had Vincent Enyeama completely fooled in goal.
Key Moment
Up 3-2 and holding on to the slim lead in the second half, Argentina found themselves in a bad position on another Ahmed Musa break in the 79th minute. Completely turned around by Musa, Pablo Zabaleta was able to recover his run and made a magnificent stretched block to prevent Musa from what likely would have been a hat trick and a 3-3 tie.
What we learned from Nigeria
Gave up too many free runs defensively. With a France date looming that is something they have to address. Used their speed well up front though and have an absolute gem of a centre forward in Emenike. Didn't score in this game but time and again was able to hold the ball up and create chances for his teammates. Strong offensive showing but have many questions to answer in their own end.
What we learned from Argentina
That's what people expect from them around the opponent penalty area. 13 shots on goal in the game and created offence from all over the field with a number of different players. Zabaleta and Rojo strong on the wings but Garay and Fernandez did nothing to assuage fears about their defending. Tons of time and space for Nigeria to operate in the middle of the field and that's a weakness other teams will look to exploit in the knockout round.
Bosnia's win against Iran rendered this game somewhat meaningless as both teams advance to the Round of 16. Argentina's win gave them the group and also allowed them to escape what looks to be the tougher side of the knockout round bracket. Argentina will likely find themselves up against Ecuador or Switzerland in their next match. Nigeria will be satisfied to get out of the group for the first time since 1998. Their joy and run in this tournament may be ending soon though. They're looking at France in their next match.
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