Russia 2018: Nigeria/ Argentina, World Cup El-Clasico ―Mascherano

Nigeria v Argentina during the last World Cup

Barcelona’s Argentina international, Javier Mascherano, has labelled the meeting between Argentina and Nigeria on June 16, a World Cup Clasico.

The two continental powerhouses have faced off four times in the group stage in the last six editions of the World Cup, with Argentina narrowly beating the Africans by the odd goal on each occasion.

‘’It’s a harder group than you think. It was clear we were not going to get an easy group,’’ Mascherano was quoted as saying by Olé Argentina.

‘’All the rivals are difficult especially the first game, but you have to play it.

‘’Nigeria have become a clasico for us in the World Cup, they have been improving like all the teams.’’

Mascherano started and went the distance in Argentina’s wins against Nigeria at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively, and also featured in the recent friendly in Krasnodar.

Meanwhile, Argentine World Cup-Winning manager, César Luis Menotti, believes that Argentina are assured of three points in their World Cup clash against Nigeria on June 26.

”It would not be surprising if Argentina loses with Croatia, but against Iceland Nigeria are six points guaranteed, Menotti said in an interview with Súper Miter Deportivo.

”The friendly with Nigeria does not count too much, they are dangerous but they never reach their potential.”

Now 79, El Flaco was in the dugout when Argentina won their first Fifa World Cup in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespuci.