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The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Tuesday, June 26 evening with former champions Argentina beating Nigeria 2-1 with a late goal to stay alive in the tournament at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Argentina were under pressure after their loss to Croatia, while Nigeria knew that a point could be enough to qualify for the knockout stage.
Argentina started the match with an attacking intent, it looked as if they knew and were aware that this match was the last chance of staying in the tournament. And deservingly they took the lead in the 14th minute of a brilliant Lionel Messi goal off a pass from Ever Banega.
Argentina controlled the match but they only had a real other chance through a Messi free-kick which Nigeria’s young keeper Uzoho cleared onto the post. At the break Argentina were leading 1-0 and with the other result also in their favour, they were qualified for the pre-quarterfinals.
But that changed after the break as Nigeria were more active and they got a controversial penalty as Mascherano brought down Balogun in the area, which the Argentinians contested but referee Cakir confirmed with VAR his decision. Victor Moses coolly scored and suddenly Argentina were scared of elimination but Nigeria couldn’t utilise this phase and even had the referee against them as Cakir after looking at the VAR footage did not give them a second penalty as Rojo handled the ball in the area.
Argentina build pressure towards the end of the game but except a chance of Higuain things looked bleak and Nigeria missed chances to go ahead through Ighalo and Etebo before Marcos Rojo in the 86th minute scored a volley off a Mercado cross.
It was celebration time in the Argentina camp and amongst their fans as Nigeria did not get a final chance to equalise as Argentina won 2-1 and qualified for the pre-quarterfinals as Iceland lost to Croatia in the parallel game.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Group D
Nigeria 1-2 (0-1) Argentina
Goals: 0-1 Lionel Messi (14′), 1-1 Victor Moses (51′), 1-2 Marcos Rojo (86′)
Nigeria: Uzoho – Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo (90′ Iwobi) – Mikel – Ndidi, Etebo – Moses, Idowu – Musa (90’+4 Simy), Iheanacho (46′ Ighalo)
Subs: Akpeyi, Ezenwa, Chidozie, Ebuehi, Echiejile, Obi, Ogu, Onazi, Shehu
Argentina: Armani – Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico (80′ Aguero) – Banega, Mascherano – Messi, Perez (61′ Pavon), di Maria (72′ Meza) – Higuain
Subs: Guzman, Willy Caballero, Ansaldi, Fazio, Biglia, Lo Celso, Salvio, Acuna, Dybala
Referee: Cüneyt Cakir (Turkey)
Man of the Match: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
