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Nigeria vs Argentina

Saint Petersburg Stadium
Jun 26, 2018 23:30 IST
Nigeria
1
-
2
FT
Argentina
Full Time
Moses
(52')
Messi
(15')
Rojo
(87')
Balogun
(33')
Mikel
(91')
Mascherano
(50')
Banega
(65')
Messi
(91')
Argentina beat Nigeria (2 - 1)
  • Nigeria
    NGA
    Argentina
    ARG
  • 32%
    POSSESSION
    68%
  • 1
    GOALS
    2
  • 9
    SHOTS
    8
  • 3
    SHOTS ON TARGET
    4
  • 20
    FOULS COMMITED
    15
  • 2
    YELLOW CARDS
    3
  • 0
    RED CARDS
    0
  • 0
    OFF SIDES
    2
  • 3
    CORNER KICKS
    5
Match Info
  • Tournament name FIFA World Cup, 2018
  • Venue Saint Petersburg Stadium
  • Date Jun 26, 2018 11:30 PM IST
  • Attendance 64468
View By
Match Completed
91'
Messi
91'
Ahmed Musa
Simeon Nwankwo
91'
Mikel
91'
Kenneth Omeruo
Alex Iwobi
87'
Rojo
81'
Nicolas Tagliafico
Sergio Aguero
73'
Angel Di Maria
Maximiliano Meza
65'
Banega
62'
Enzo Perez
Cristian Pavon
52'
Moses
50'
Mascherano
46'
Kelechi Iheanacho
Odion Ighalo
Half Time
33'
Balogun
15'
Messi
Kick Off

Nigeria

3-5-2
  • 7
    Ahmed Musa
    14
    Kelechi Iheanacho
  • 11
    Victor Moses
    8
    Oghenekaro Etebo
    10
    John Obi Mikel
    4
    Onyinye Ndidi
    2
    Bryan Idowu
  • 6
    Leon Balogun
    5
    William Ekong
    22
    Kenneth Omeruo
  • 23
    Francis Uzoho
MIDFIELDER
8
Etebo Peter Oghenekaro
Midfielder
15
Joel Chukwuma Obi
Midfielder
10
John Michael Nchekwube Obinna
Midfielder
19
John Ogu
Midfielder
17
Ogenyi Eddy Onazi
Midfielder
4
Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi
Midfielder
GOALKEEPER
16
Daniel Akpeyi
Goalkeeper
23
Francis Uzoho
Goalkeeper
1
Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Goalkeeper
FORWARD
7
Ahmed Musa
Forward
18
Alexander Chuka Iwobi
Forward
14
Kelechi Promise Iheanacho
Forward
9
Odion Jude Ighalo
Forward
13
Simeo Tochukwu Nwankwo
Forward
11
Victor Moses
Forward
DEFENDER
2
Bryan Oladapo Idowu
Defender
20
Chidozie Collins Awaziem
Defender
3
Elderson Echiejile
Defender
22
Kenneth Josiah Omeruo
Defender
6
Leon Balogun
Defender
12
Shehu Abdullahi
Defender
21
Tyronne Ebuehi
Defender
5
William Troost-Ekong
Defender

Argentina

4-4-2
  • 10
    Lionel Messi
    9
    Gonzalo Higuain
  • 15
    Enzo Perez
    14
    Javier Mascherano
    7
    Ever Banega
    11
    Angel Di Maria
  • 2
    Gabriel Mercado
    17
    Nicolas Otamendi
    16
    Marcos Rojo
    3
    Nicolas Tagliafico
  • 12
    Franco Armani
MIDFIELDER
11
Angel Fabian Di Maria Hernandez
Midfielder
22
Cristian Pavon
Midfielder
15
Enzo Nicolas Perez Segui
Midfielder
7
Ever Maximiliano David Banega
Midfielder
20
Giovani Lo Celso
Midfielder
5
Lucas Rodrigo Biglia
Midfielder
13
Maximiliano Eduardo Meza
Midfielder
GOALKEEPER
12
Franco Armani
Goalkeeper
1
Nahuel Ignacio Guzman Palomeque
Goalkeeper
23
Wilfredo Daniel Caballero Lazcano
Goalkeeper
FORWARD
9
Gonzalo Gerardo Higuain
Forward
10
Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini
Forward
21
Paulo Bruno Exequiel Dybala
Forward
19
Sergio Leonel Aguero
Forward
DEFENDER
4
Cristian Daniel Ansaldi
Defender
18
Eduardo Antonio Salvio
Defender
16
Faustino Marcos Alberto Rojo
Defender
6
Federico Julian Fazio
Defender
2
Gabriel Ivan Mercado
Defender
14
Javier Alejandro Mascherano
Defender
8
Marcos Javier Acuna
Defender
3
Nicolas Alejandro Tagliafico
Defender
17
Nicolas Hernan Gonzalo Otamendi
Defender
View By
90'
ARGENTINA ESCAPE
Never count out La Albiceleste! The momentum of this game went back and forth with everything riding on the result. For much of the second half the Nigerians seemed all but through, however one mistake cost them. An unmarked Marcos Rojo buried a perfect volley into the bottom right corner of the net in the 86th minute to eliminate the Super Eagles. Croatia claim the top spot with nine points on three wins, while Argentina escape Group D with a total of four points.
90'
FINAL
That is it! Argentina have stolen the three points with a late goal off of the right foot of Marcos Rojo!
90'
LOUD
The Argentinian fans at St. Petersburg Stadium are buzzing! The sheer noise is making it nearly impossible to hear any whistles from our referee's whistle.
90'
ARGENTINA PUSHING
Argentina are not simply sitting back and trying to defend in the final minutes. Instead they are pushing men forward, looking to counter at every chance possible, and hit the Nigerians in the mouth right after conceding a goal.
90'
Yellow Card
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
90'
Substitution
Simeon Nwankwo (on). Ahmed Musa (off). (Nigeria)
90'
Yellow Card
John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
90'
Substitution
Alex Iwobi (on). Kenneth Omeruo (off). (Nigeria)
87'
ROJO GOAL
Gabriel Mercado flew down the right wing and whipped in a cross to the penalty spot. The pass is picture perfect and picks out an unmarked Marcos Rojo. Rojo coolly, calmly, and clinically volleyed the ball with the inside of his right foot to deposit it into the lower right corner of the net!
86'
GOAL
GOAL!! Argentina have scored!!!
86'
Goal
Marcos Rojo. Assist by Gabriel Mercado (Argentina)
85'
ETEBO SHOT
Oghenekaro Etebo lines up a free kick and goes for the upper right corner of the Argentine net! The effort seemingly bulges the net, but it instead rippled the side netting. Etebo's effort was nearly perfect, however it missed the target by mere inches.
83'
SAVE BY ARMANI
Odion Ighalo charges into the box, loses his man, and fires a shot on goal from close range! Franco Armani comes off his line to close down the angle and makes a vital save by making himself as big as possible. Argentina's hopes and dreams were nearly crushed on that play.
82'
HIGUAIN MISS
Gonzalo Higuain has just missed a complete sitter at the near post following a cross from the left wing! The ball sat up perfectly for the striker who was unmarked by the Nigerian defense. He then blasted a left footed strike that missed the net horribly by several feet.
80'
AGUERO ON
Jorge Sampaoli uses his last substitution of the day to bring on Sergio Aguero for Nicolas Tagliafico. And thus the Paulo Dybala debacle continues, especially if this turns out to be Argentina's last game of the 2018 World Cup.
80'
Substitution
Sergio Aguero (on). Nicolas Tagliafico (off). (Argentina)
77'
VAR REVIEW
There was just a VAR review for a possible hand ball by Marcos Rojo on his clearance. The defender's header glanced off his head and hit his hand inside the area. Our referee went to his station, viewed the replay, but kept his decision as no hand ball, and gives Armani a goal kick.
75'
CHANCE FOR NIGERIA
A counter attack springs a two on one opportunity for Nigeria!! Ahmed Musa sees the chance and swings in a cross from the left flank into the area. The ball is cleared by Rojo into the path of Odion Ighalo who scuffs his volleyed attempt wide.
72'
NDIDI SHOT
Onyinye Ndidi finds a loose ball in the attacking third and pounces on his opportunity. Ndidi rifles a shot at the center of the goal, however he elevates it just a bit too much sending it over Franco Armani's crossbar by several inches.
72'
Substitution
Maximiliano Meza (on). Angel Di Maria (off). (Argentina)
70'
PUSHING UP
La Albiceleste are beginning to send all of their attackers forward looking to find a winner. Argentina must score if they have any hope of advancing out of the group stages, as it stands Nigeria would escape in second on 4 points.
64'
Yellow Card
Ever Banega (Argentina)
63'
CROSS
The recent substitute Cristian Pavon utilizes his fresh legs to speed down the right flank and whips in a cross to the center of the area looking to find Gonzalo Higuain! William Ekong, though, tracks back just in time to intervene and claim possession of the ball before Argentina reclaimed the lead.
61'
Substitution
Cristian Pavon (on). Enzo Perez (off). (Argentina)
59'
MUSA CROSS
Ahmed Musa blazes down the left wing and burns Javier Mascherano that results in the speedster sprinting into the area! Musa levels a cross into the center of the area seeking to find his trailing teammates, however Marcos Rojo is in position to cut off the pass and clear it away.
53'
GROUP STANDINGS
In that matter of a few moments the standings in Group C shift based on two goals. Argentina are now destined to miss out on the knockout rounds after the Nigeria goal, while a Croatian goal has all but sealed Iceland's fate at the bottom of the group.
51'
PENALTY
Victor Moses buries his penalty to the right of Franco Armani, runs out of the box, and executes an impressive tumbling flip! This game is tied 1-1 just like that!
51'
Penalty Kick - Goal
Penalty Kick - Goal - Victor Moses (Nigeria)
49'
PENALTY!
Penalty to Nigeria after a corner kick! Javier Mascherano nearly loses his man and instead decides to drag down Leon Balogun just inside the six yard box. The Argentines plead for a VAR review, but it appears that this will stand.
49'
Yellow Card
Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
46'
SECOND HALF
The final 45 minutes are underway in St. Petersburg! The teams have switched ends and now it will be Nigeria that attack right to left. Gernot Rohr makes one change at the break bringing on Odion Ighalo for Kelechi Iheanacho.
46'
Substitution
Odion Ighalo (on). Kelechi Iheanacho (off). (Nigeria)
45'
HALF ANALYSIS
It finally feels like Argentina are in the driver's seat of a match in this year's tournament. They bossed play for much of the first half and really only had to defend against a small number of attacks during the closing minutes of the period. Lionel Messi's goal was a thing of pure beauty, but in the end it might not be enough as Iceland could still sneak through ahead of La Albiceleste with a win over Croatia.
45'
HALFTIME!
Franco Armani earns his first save for Argentina in the 2018 World Cup following a Nigerian flicked header placed on target by Leon Balogun. The keeper looks to turn play upfield, but Cuneyt Cakir blares his whistle to bring the opening 45 minutes to an end. Argentina lead Nigeria 1-0 at the break!
45'
COLLISION
A deflected cross into the area results in a midair collision between Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcos Rojo. The Super Eagle flails around in the area looking to draw the foul, but the referee allows play to continue on. It appears that while Rojo's leg was in an elevated position, it was actually Iheanacho that initiated the contact.
42'
ETEBO SHOT
Oghenekaro Etebo attempts his second shot of the match, his first was blocked immediately but the result of this one is far worse. The right footed attempt is terribly mishit by the Nigerian as it is skewed so wide that it goes out for a throw in.
38'
PASSES TO DI MARIA
A lovely series of passes arches the ball from the right side of the area all the way to the left and onto the feet of an open Angel Di Maria. Di Maria lines up his shot and blasts a left footed attempt, but Victor Moses closes down the gap to block the effort and swing play out of the box.
32'
BALOGUN FOUL
Angel Di Maria is sprung by a brilliant pass in behind the defense! The speedy winger charges to the edge of the area as Leon Balogun's legs tangle with his taking him down. The yellow card is immediately shown to the dismay of La Albiceleste who feel it should have been a red card.
32'
Yellow Card
Leon Balogun (Nigeria)
30'
BANEGA
Ever Banega has been absolutely massive in the midfield so far this afternoon. The Sevilla man assisted on the Messi goal, created several other chances, and has defended excellently against the Nigerian counter attack.
27'
MESSI PASS
Lionel Messi plays an inch perfect pass into the path of a streaking Gonzalo Higuain inside the area! Higuain gets an initial touch on the ball, but Francis Uzoho comes out off his line and expertly stops any further attack by the Argentines.
23'
BALOGUN ATTACK
Leon Balogun works a beautiful give and go with Victor Moses that sends the defender into space down the right wing! Balogun tracks the ball down and tries to shepherd it out for a corner kick, but Nicolas Otamendi shoves him to the ground. The Super Eagles cry for a foul, but the referees disagree allowing play to go on uninterrupted.
18'
FOUL IN THE AREA BY ARGENTINA
Angel Di Maria flings a free kick in from the left sideline looking to find his teammates at the far post. The pass has far too much weight on it, but in the end it doesn't matter as the referee spots a foul by the Argentine attackers and whistles the play dead.
15'
MESSI!!!
Ever Banega hammered a picture perfect long ball over the top to find the streaking Lionel Messi! Messi controlled the ball with a deft first touch off his thigh, then lifted his head up, bent it around the charging Francis Uzoho with his right, and buried it into the far side of the net!
15'
GOAL!
GOOOAAAL! LIONEL MESSI!! Argentina lead 1-0!
14'
Goal
Lionel Messi. Assist by Ever Banega (Argentina)
13'
MASCHERANO ERROR
Javier Mascherano foolishly gives the ball away inside his own half to Kelechi Iheanacho which springs an odd man break the other way! Iheanacho reaches the edge of the box and winds up a shot, but Javier Mascherano rights his wrong by making an excellently timed slide tackle to dispossess the Nigerian.
9'
MUSA SHOT
Ahmed Musa claims a clearance out of the box by the Argentinian back line and tries to go for goal from distance! He lashes at the ball causing him to fall during the attempt, but his aim is quite impressive for such an off balance shot as it soars above the crossbar by only a few inches.
7'
SHOT BY ETEBO
Nigeria earn an early chance on the counter attack as they nearly catch their opposition's defense sleeping! Oghenekaro Etebo pounces on the ball at the top of the box and attempts a low driven shot, but it is immediately blocked away by Nicolas Otamendi.
3'
EARLY TACTICS
Gernot Rohr's side is clearly pulling back all the way to their area looking to earn a point on a draw or possibly hit the Argentine's out on the break. Argentina, on the other hand, seem content with possessing the ball for long periods of time seeking to find a way to create a chance.
1'
KICKOFF
We are underway in St. Petersburg! La Albiceleste attack from right to left during the first half in their classic sky blue and white striped uniforms, while the Nigerians wear a sharp and simple forest green kit. The man in the middle today is Turkey's Cuneyt Cakir who is assisted by his countrymen Bahattin Duran and Tarik Ongun, as well as Bjorn Kuipers from the Netherlands.
0'
HISTORY
These two countries have met a total of eight times before today with Argentina claiming five of those games. It should be noted that the last time these teams faced off, though, that Nigeria stunned La Albiceleste in Krasnodar by the score of 4-2 with goals scored by Kelechi Iheanacho, Bryan Idowu, and two from Alex Iwobi.
0'
ARGENTINA
Argentina Bench: Nahuel Guzman, Cristian Ansaldi, Lucas Biglia, Federico Fazio, Marcos Acuna, Maximiliano Meza, Eduardo Salvio, Sergio Aguero, Giovani Lo Celso, Paulo Dybala, Cristian Pavon, Willy Caballero
0'
NIGERIA
Nigeria Bench: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Elderson Echiejile, Odion Ighalo, Abdullahi Shehu, Simeon Nwankwo, Joel Obi, Daniel Akpeyi, Ogenyi Onazi, Alex Iwobi, John Ogu, Chidozie Awaziem, Chidozie Awaziem
0'
ARGENTINA
Argentina (4-4-2): Franco Armani; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Perez, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Angel Di Maria; Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain
0'
NIGERIA
Nigeria (3-5-2): Francis Uzoho; Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo; Victor Moses, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Obi Mikel, Onyinye Ndidi, Brian Idowu; Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho
0'
ARGENTINE CALAMITY
To say that La Albiceleste have struggled would be a massive understatement. Their time in Russia has been surrounded by rumors of unrest between the players, their coach Jorge Sampaoli, and the Argentine Football Association. Argentina sit at the bottom of the table with just a single point through their first two matches and now must win and receive help in order to reach the knockout rounds. The pressure will no doubt fall upon the shoulders of Lionel Messi who had to carry the team through their final CONMEBOL games which helped them narrowly qualify for this tournament. Can La Pulga Atomica put the team on his back again and drag them through to the next stage of the 2018 World Cup?
0'
WELCOME
The gorgeous St. Petersburg Stadium in the historic Russian city built across over forty islands plays host to a crucial Group D tie in just an hour's time. Argentina must win this match if they have any hope of advancing to the next round, while Nigeria can draw and still move on depending on the result of the other game between Iceland and Croatia. Please stay tuned for our match preview and the breakdown of today's starting lineups.