Russia 2018: Eagles shine despite loss to Argentina

Nigeria on Tuesday crashed out of the ongoing World Cup following a 1-2 loss to Argentina in their last group D game played at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russia.

The Eagles struggled to contain the Albiceleste for the better part of the game as Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria terrorised the defence of Nigeria with ease.

Nigeria finished third on the table with three points in the group where Croatia topped with nine points as Argentina qualified on four points.

Messi outpaced Kenneth Omeruo to break the deadlock with a superb finish which caught goalkeeper Francis Uzoho helpless in the 14th minute.

The goal was the 100th scored at the Russia 2018.

Save for the first shot at goal by Ahmed Musa in the early exchanges, the Eagles could not establish a certain level of calmness and organisation in their game while the first half lasted.

A ray of hope came for the Eagles on resumption as Victor Moses converted the penalty kick awarded to the them in the 51st minute.

The Eagles introduced Odion Ighalo in the second half and later Simeon Nwankwo and Alex Iwobi.

After the Eagles were subjected to intense pressure, defender Marcos Rojo in the 86th minute clinically connected a right wing cross from another defender Gabriel Mercado at the expense of Moses for Argentina’s winning goal. Rojo, it will be recalled, equally scored the winner at Brazil 2014 when Argentina defeated Nigeria 3-2 in a group match.

The Turkish centre referee Cuneyt Cakir,  had earlier overruled a penalty kick appeal in the 76th minute after Rojo had palmed the ball in the goal area.  Ighalo was not well composed to utilise the loose ball after the ball-to hand incident as he wasted the chance with only keeper Franco Armani to beat.

Argentina will now face France in Kazan in the Round of 16 on Saturday.