Nigeria Out of 2018 FIFA World Cup
- FT: Nigeria 1-2 Argentina
- Argentina squeeze through
- Nigeria out along with Iceland
- Messi puts Argentina ahead (14)
- Moses slots home pen (51)
- Rojo with dramatic winner (86)
Saint Petersburg Stadium marked the end of the road for super Eagles Tuesday after the Gernot Rohr tutored side went down 2-1 to very desperate Argentina.
The Nigerian side who went into the match with advantage having earned initial three points from the defeat of Iceland, failed to capitalise on the edge over Argentina. Two time world cup winners Argentina who were condemned to either pull a win or exit the World cup opened scoring in the 14th minute thanks to Lionel Messi who incidentally was earning his first goal in the tournament so far.
The South Americans maintained the lone goal lead to the end of first half. On resumption of the second half however the Eagles came out smoking to earn a penalty in the 51st minute that was effectively converted by Victor Moses.
The Nigerians had every opportunity to maintain the draw to the end but failed to do so. An opportunity for Eagles to shoot into the lead was bungled by Odion Ighalo who shot directly at the goalkeeper and called for penalty following handball.
The Referee however turned down the call after the VAR confirmed a no penalty verdict. It was however the 86th minute of the match that Argentina turned the table after Marcos Rojo converted a well taken corner kick. Efforts by the Eagles to seek a remedy for the unfortunate scenario failed to yield any result. The defeat marks a continuation of wins by Argentina over Nigeria at competitive level.
Nigeria had before the world cup, beaten Argentina 4-2. 
The group stage exit by the Super Eagles is short fall from the usual round of 16 for which Nigeria has been known.
While Nigeria joins other African countries, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia who have since exited the world cup, Argentina will face France in the round of 16.
Match Live updates below(text)
90+4: Ball still in Nigeria’s half. Argentina are nearly there…
90+2: It’s all in Nigeria’s half. Messi nearly squeezes through on goal but is thwarted. Two minutes left.
90+1: Four minutes added on!
88: Croatia go 2-1 up on Iceland, meaning Iceland are essentially put to bed! St Petersburg has gone absolutely mad. Maradona is flicking the Vs at someone below him.
This is bizarre.
86: APPEAL! Meza goes down under pressure in the box, Argentina scream at Cekir, but it won’t even go to VAR!
Meza not appealing, which says it all.
NIGERIA 1-1 ARGENTINA
84: There really isn’t much of a plan to what Argentina are doing here, but it’s pressure nonetheless.
They win a corner via Pavon. Banega takes, but it’s SO poor again!
Argentina, on this showing, don’t deserve to go through.
80: This is fantastic theatre. Pinball in the box as it drops to Tagliafico on the left… he drives it down but Higuain can’t turn it home!
Higuain has been so poor tonight, and doesn’t react fast enough!
79: Iceland have equalised against Croatia. Sigurdsson with the penalty.
If Iceland score and Argentina score, Iceland go through! Such drama here for the final 10 minutes.
74: Corner to Argentina. Time moving quickly now, things getting very, very desperate.
Pavon delivers this time, but it’s poor, and cleared at the near post.
71: Nigeria are not actually playing majorly deep at the minute, and Argentina are struggling to get into the penalty area.
They’re sat in their half, but the back line is pretty much five yards outside their box. It’s working, but they will retreat.
69: Corner to Argentina, won by Pavon. They take it short, but Messi’s pass is blocked my Musa. Argentina win it back. They go again…
67: Ndidi, Etebo and Mikel have been impressive tonight. Composed, hard-working and retaining shape constantly. They’ll have a touch final 25 minutes, however.
61: Mascherano beaten all ends up by Musa at the byline, but his cut back is cut out and cleared well by Otamendi.
59: Here was Mascherano’s reaction. He’s only really got himself to blame, there.
The conceding of the corner was arguably worse than the penalty offence! Three Argentina players went for the same ball, with no communication and no Nigeria player in sight.
57: Argentina fans getting right behind their side here in St Petersburg, but they’ve got it all to do again! Free-kick inside the Nigeria half. Argentina rushing like it’s very late on.
55: In Rostov, Croatia are 1-0 up against Iceland. It doesn’t change too much… Nigeria second, Argentina third, Iceland fourth.
GOAL! NIGERIA 1-1 ARGENTINA (Moses pen, 51)
Disaster for Argentina and Mascherano. THREE Argentina players go through the same ball from a simple cross, and Mascherano heads the ball against the back of Rojo’s head for a corner.
From that corner, the penalty was given, and Moses makes no mistake, slotting low past Armani as he guesses wrong!
NIGERIA CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH
49: PENALTY TO NIGERIA! Mascherano has had a mare here. He’s given away a completely needless corner, and as it comes in, he hauls down Balogun for a penalty!
They go to VAR, but it’s given! It’s soft, but we’ve seen them given a few times this tournament!
49: PENALTY TO NIGERIA!
HT: Argentina’s half, and Argentina are currently going through. Iceland have dominated Croatia in Rostov with no goal, but so much football to be played and so much time for things to change.
That man Messi has looked brilliant in the first half; he’ll be hungry to add to his goal and boost Argentina’s goal difference. Nigeria, will need to step up a tad, with debut goalkeeper Armani having very little to do.
Follow up live update. Match Kick off at 7;pm
13: Nigeria doing OK, mind. They’re getting about Argentina, winning the ball back often, and retaining a good shape.
11: Don’t want to speak too soon, but Messi looks in the mood. He gets a run at a couple Nigeria defenders, brekas free on the left of the box and crosses, but it’s blocked.
9: First sight of goal for Argentina. Messi feeds Banega, who gives it to Tagliafico on the left of the box, but he shoots wide on the stretch as Balogun puts him under pressure.
Messi gets a chance to work his magic at the other end, and wins a free-kick 45 yards out.
5: First touch for Messi isn’t great. He gives it away on the right byline. Argentina win a free-kick back. Quite scrappy early on and not a lot of rhythm, but it’s electric in the stands.
Tagliafico claps the pass… I’ve never understood that.
Read carefully! Croatia also play Iceland in Rostov at 7pm.
- Croatia have qualified
- Nigeria can qualify with a draw or win against Argentina if Iceland lose or draw against Croatia
- If Argentina beat Nigeria in their final game and Croatia beat Iceland, Argentina go through. They will also go through if they beat Nigeria, Iceland beat Croatia, and Argentina’s goal difference betters Iceland
- Iceland must also beat Croatia in their final game to give themselves the chance of qualification and currently have a better goal difference than Argentina
OPTA STATS
- Four of the eight games between Nigeria and Argentina have come at World Cup finals – Argentina winning all four contests.
- Nigeria have faced Argentina in the group stages in each of their last three World Cups (2002, 2010, 2014).
- Messi has had 12 shots in this World Cup so far but has yet to score – that’s eight more attempts than any other Argentina player.
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