The Super Green Eagles could not keep the promise they made to the president of Nigeria, Mahammadu Buhari. Before they went to Russia, Mikel Obi told the president they will bring the cup home. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi and his Argentina team made they let Nigeria disappoint their president.
Nigeria yesterday lost the Lionel Messi’s Argentina by 2 goals to 1. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 14th minute after a nice control from Ever Banega’s pass.
The five-times Balon D’or player just did what he has been doing for his club Barcelona and sent the spectators on fire.
World Cup winner and former Argentina captain, Diego Armando Maradona could not hide his joy when Messi placed the ball far beyond the goal keeper’s reach.
The South Americans outclassed the three times African champions in the first but in the second half, the African got their share especially in the few minutes.
Mascherano committed a fouled from a corner kick and the Nigerians were awarded a penalty. The goalkeeper went the wrong way when Victor Moses took the penalty kick.
For the rest of the game, Nigeria had 7 players guiding the goalkeeper while Iheanacho and Musa were left in attack.
Ighalo got the best chances for his side when he came on in the second half for Iheanacho.
Nigeria would have been writing a different story had Ighalo converted even one of his chance.
With a few minutes to the end of the game, Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo scored when he was left unmarked by placing the ball on the goalkeeper’s right-hand side.
Argentina had every right to celebrate when they scored the goal as they were on the verge of being knocked out of the World Cup group stage for the first time since 2002.
Argentina after struggling to qualify for the World Cup and also struggling to make it out of the group stage will now face 1998 World Cup champions France in the round of 16.
