Highlights, Argentina vs Nigeria, FIFA World Cup 2018, Match 39 at St Petersburg: Argentina qualify for last-16

#NGA have lost to #ARG at the #WorldCup for the fifth successive time! Heartbreakhttps://t.co/cY0NLZ6WHT pic.twitter.com/VpakyyGysu

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 26, 2018

After the final whistle…

Sampaoli didn’t shake hands with Rohr (as far as I saw). That’s in bad taste. This was again not a high-quality game, but it delivered on drama in the plenitude of the word. Argentina remain a poor team, but they offer emotion and Messi gets to play another World Cup match, on Saturday against France. Every Argentine is on his feet in the stadium. They can begin planning for the journey to Kazan and Tartarstan this weekend.

It is full-time at the Rostov Arena and Iceland are eliminated from the World Cup as they lose 2-1 to Croatia while Argentina pulled off a victory in their game. Iceland fought valiantly, ringing up shot after shot but the final product was lacking. It’s all over for the Vikings at Russia this summer but they have had an encompassing outing in each of their three games. Croatia understandably took it easy as the result won’t have mattered anyway, but some of the signs were concerning, especially the Croats defence in face of sustained pressure.

FULL-TIME! 

Iceland 1-2 Croatia

Argentina is alive pic.twitter.com/K3dZMVxnjt

— Priyansh (@Privaricate) June 26, 2018

FULL-TIME! 

Nigeria 1-2 Argentina

Utter mayhem. Total pandemonium. No, this is not the end of the world, but Argentina have progressed to the round of sixteen of the World Cup, against, in the end, all odds. Mascherano’s face was covered in blood for most of the second half. Messi was booked for time-wasting, but Argentina got them in the end.

91’ Iceland 1-2 Croatia

Perisic charged down the left flank and unleashed a shot off his left foot which Halldorsson only managed to push further  into his own net

IVAN PERISIC SCORES A STUNNER! 

Iceland 1-2 Croatia

From Russia…

GOOOOL! Earthquake in St Petersburg. Argentina looked clueless, but Rojo, Argentina’s very own Toni Kroos, nets. Poor defending by Nigeria.

86’ Iceland 1-1 Croatia

Iceland do have goalscoring opportunities coming their way, especially in set-piece situations but they lack the teeth to cause any real damage

MARCOS ROJO RESTORES THE LEAD! 

Nigeria 1-2 Argentina

83’ Iceland 1-1 Croatia

Iceland are still trying to get that elusive winner, but going forward, they are not simply good enough. Strong willpower is no substitute for world-class footballing abilities, somewhere Croatia clearly excel at.

82’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

It’s box to box, a frantic and maddening pace. Very chaotic, but football at times is organised chaos if that makes sense? Nigeria are sitting back and inviting pressure. A very dangerous strategy.

78’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

Extraordinary scenes in St Petersburg. Confusion and chaos. The Turkish referee Cakir runs to the side of the pitch for an on-field review. He stuck to his decision: no penalty. Questionable and Nigeria are livid. And oh yes, where is Sergio Aguero? Oh, there he is! Baffling that Sampaoli didn’t bring him earlier.

TIME FOR VAR? 

Marcos Rojo heads down the ball but it hits his hand on the way. The referee checks it on the small screen. What is it then? Nigerian players crowd near the referee. And the referee sticks to his decision. NO PENALTY!

72’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

Instead, it’s Nigeria who pose a threat, and in neat style.  Musa nutmegs his opponent, plays it inside and Odion Ighalo lets it go through his legs, but  Ndidi blasts over the top. Good, good attack.

Gylfi Sigurdsson equalises for Iceland! 

Iceland 1-1 Croatia

And Iceland equalize. Sigurddson calmly buries it with a classic technique right into the roof of the net.

71’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

Shall I be blunt, though sticking to the facts? Since Nigeria’s goal Argentina haven’t created a single chance. They are imprecise in the final third, but also lack creativity. It’s as if the whole team is saying: “Lionel, over to you.”

#NGA have put all men behind the ball allowing #ARG to have most of the possession. But the #SuperEagles have ensured that #Messi and co and have no space to attack

70` #NGA 1-1 ARG#WorldCup https://t.co/cY0NLZ6WHT

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 26, 2018

69’ Iceland 0-1 Croatia

Croatia do not seem too concerned about the fact that Iceland have had 14 shots, 8 of them on target. Perhaps they are confident that Iceland will continue to be wasteful in front of the goal. Either way, the Vikings are not giving up and continue to pile on the shots even when Croatia are playing out of the back with sheer aplomb.

What a waste! Iceland let their biggest chance of the game pass by as <span class=“scayt-misspell-word” data-scayt-word=“Finnbogason” data-wsc-lang=“en_US” style=“background-image:url(” data:image="" gif;="" background-position:center="" bottom;="" background-repeat:repeat-x;="" display:inline;="" padding-bottom:0px"="">Finnbogason picks up <span class=“scayt-misspell-word” data-scayt-word=“Bjarnason” data-wsc-lang=“en_US” style=“background-image:url(” data:image="" gif;="" background-position:center="" bottom;="" background-repeat:repeat-x;="" display:inline;="" padding-bottom:0px"="">Bjarnason with a gem of a cross only for the latter to place his shot wide.

65’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

Mascherano is struggling greatly. He was one of the outstanding players at the last World Cup, but in Russia, he has been atrocious. Is he simply too old? The men in blue and white, meanwhile, are trying desperately to regain control again, but with 25 minutes left they need a spark. Leo?

59’ Iceland 0-1 Croatia 

Now Iceland almost equalise as Ingason’s header was barely tipped over the bar. The Croats are holding firm and Iceland need to come up with an answer soon or else this magical adventure of the Vikings would soon be over.

59’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

Argentina fans merit much admiration. The roof is about to collapse here. They are urging their team on as never before. Argentina tough might want to involve Messi a bit more again. He has been peripheral so far in the second half.

Pavon on and Argentina seemingly switch to a 4-3-3 formation.

57’ Iceland 0-1 Croatia

Croatia got lucky as the goal really came against the turn of play. Iceland were putting sustained pressure on the Croats defence but Modric and co. caught a lucky break as the ball bounced around the Iceland half before falling upon Badelj who finished beautifully.

57’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

Argentina have themselves to blame. The penalty followed from a corner three Argentina players contrived to concede in the first place. Mascherano clearly did not watch England – Panama last Sunday, when all the wrestling was eventually punished. Sampaoli’s team have combined the decent with the silly in this game. Tagliafico, Banega and Di Maria on the left have been excellent. They will need to step it up once more.

Iceland 0-1 Croatia

One blow after another for Iceland. Nigeria converting their penalty in the other game had already titled the odds against the Vikings. Now Croatia score with a beautiful volley from Milan Badelj.

BADLEJ GIVES CROATIA THE LEAD! 

Iceland 0-1 Croatia

52’ Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

The penalty World Cup rolls on. There have been worse incidents that have gone unpunished, but Mascherano was holding inside the box and it was not a very clever thing to do. Moses took it and scored. He waited for Armani to move to his right and then rolled it past him. Nerves of steel Moses has!

VICTOR MOSES SCORES FROM THE SPOT! 

Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

50’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Nigeria huddled. They made a substitution, with their number 14  making way for Ighalo. A draw is enough for them. Can they muster a fight?

Disaster strikes for Argentina. Turkish referee Cakir points to the spot. Mascherano is culpable.

Croatia don’t have anything to play for and that has been apparent in the events of the first half. Iceland finished the half on top and an early goal for the Vikings will make it a more enthralling watch.

Let us not complain. Messi delivered a moment of magic, a moment of unfettered genius. At the moment, his superlative goal suffices to see Argentina progress to the round of sixteen. Sampaoli’s team – in as far as it is still his team – controlled the first half, with Banega orchestrating the midfield and link-up play. One does expect something more from Nigeria after the break.

And the second half is underway…

Half-time stats!

Key stats:

👉 #ARG have won 29/30 World Cup matches in which they were leading at half-time, the only exception the 4-2 defeat in the 1930 final against #URU

👉 Saint Petersburg Stadium is the 100th stadium where Leo Messi has scored a goal for #ARG or Barcelona #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/Lm1Xo3yDRw

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018

The drought ends

662 - Lionel Messi has scored his first World Cup goal in 662 minutes of football, his last previous World Cup goal came against Nigeria as well, in 2014. Relief. pic.twitter.com/471WFjg3Uo

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) June 26, 2018

Messi magic

Let us not complain. Messi delivered a moment of magic, a moment of unfettered genius. At the moment, his superlative goal suffices to see Argentina progress to the round of sixteen. Sampaoli’s team – in as far as it is still his team – controlled the first half, with Banega orchestrating the midfield and link-up play. One does expect something more from Nigeria after the break.

HALF-TIME! 
 

Nigeria 0-1 Argentina (Messi 14')

Iceland 0-0 Croatia

45’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

VAR? The technology is haunted. Inside his own box, Rojo karate kicks the ball away and then he catches, be it inadvertently, Iheanacho’s head with his leg. Was that reviewed by Orsato, the VAR in Moscow? Was it not? It’s going way above our heads, but that could have been a penalty for Nigeria.

44’ Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Iceland have taken control of the game as the Croats are becoming increasingly sloppy in possession. Luka Modric has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bland Croatian performance.

44’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Poor Gernot. The German must be fuming with his players. Nigeria are insipid, petrified by Messi. Etebo’s shot goes out for a throw – yes, that just happened at a World Cup, but in truth it sums up Nigeria’s performance so far.

42’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Higuain passes the ball to Messi, who sprays it out to Di Maria on the left. But thank god for Victor Moses. He puts his body on the line to block the shot.

GOAT? We’ll let you decide that

Only three players have scored at three separate World Cups for Argentina:

☑️ Diego Maradona (1982, 1986, 1994)
☑️ Gabriel Batistuta (1994, 1998, 2002)
☑️ Lionel Messi (2006, 2014, 2018)

Three legends of the game for #ARG pic.twitter.com/FJwpHOGDew

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 26, 2018

37’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

I don’t want to eulogize Banega all the time, but he has been the key to Argentina’s marked improvement in these 35 minutes. He provided penetrative passing and, crucially, upped the tempo. He also enabled his colleagues to move and that mobility in turns tormented the Nigerians. Cunning, very cunning.

35’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Nigeria are chasing shadows here. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the Africans have lost control of the midfield in spite man-marking Banega and Mascherano. Messi is playing higher up the field and enjoying himself. He no longer has to drop deep. From a free-kick he hits the post. Agonisingly close.

30’ Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Croatia made nine changes to the starting eleven and it is showing in their game – the usual crisp passing expected from Zlatko Dalic’s side is missing.

#ARG nearly get a second as #Messi plays in a delightful through ball towards #Higuain but Uzoho comes sprinting out to make a save. He pays by taking a Higuain's shin to the head

#NGA 0-1 #ARG

LIVE: https://t.co/at78s5XOSv

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 26, 2018

25’ Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Iceland are struggling to get going here. The Vikings came with all the intent but without any viable plan. Croatia are dominating the proceedings here – Perisic in particular using width on the right wing to facilitate attacks. Iceland are struggling in possession and only have Bjarnason’s bloody nose to show for their efforts.

25’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Nigeria look completely rattled. They have barely touched the ball since Messi’s opener. Will the Super Eagles’ inexperience be their undoing here? They are young team and the circumstances in St Petersburg are daunting, up against Messi, Banega and a very partisan crowd.

Here is a fun fact: Messi and Banega have known each other since playing on opposite sides in Rosario’s youth football system at the age of 10.

23’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Uzoho clears the ball in a hurry as Nigeria look a bit rattled at the moment. Hold on, what the hell was Maradona doing there? Erm, he looks possessed.

20’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

So does one still doubt Messi? He has delivered and Nigeria need to regroup. It was a brilliant pass from Banega, whose role is crucial for Argentina. Those first two touches were perfection. It was a very Bergkamp-esque, but Argentina have been craving for a player like Banega. They have the upper hand now. Messi has arrived and in the stands, El Diego approves.

15’ Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

GOOOOOOL!! That is the way they do it in South America and it’s a vintage goal from Lionel Messi. Two touches with his right foot before he dispatched it with his left. Stunning skill.

And who else? Leooooo Messi! 

Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

13’ Nigeria 0-0 Argentina 

It’s manic in the technical areas. Well, I don’t need to tell you how pumped up Sampaoli is, but even Gernot Rohr, the composed and cool German, is at is, pacing up and down, waving his arms frantically. On the field, Banega is proving important for Argentina. He is providing the link-up play for his team.

12’ Iceland 0-0 Croatia 

Croatia are enjoying the bulk of possession as of now, although Iceland did attempt to mount a couple of attacks with Gylfi Sigurddson in the fray, but nothing has come of it.

Electric atmosphere in St Petersburg, but the opening exchanges of the game are scrappy, or at least nervous. Plenty of stray passes. Argentina want to impose their will, Nigeria are sitting behind the ball, which suits them. Tagliafico and Musa attempted, but the ball sailed wide.

10’ Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

The opening 10 minutes have been end-to-end. Both Nigeria and Argentina have surged ahead in search of an angle to score. No goals so far. Interesting

5’ Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Iceland need a win but they don’t have any answer to Croatia’s neat passing game. They did not see any of the ball in the first five minutes, not the scenario you wish for if you want Iceland to cause an upset tonight.

4’ Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Lot’s of pressure on Argentina’s goalkeeper Armani (to not talk about Messi for once). He is making his debut and replacing the lethargic you-know-who. Argentina’s midfield is still not convincing with  Mascherano and Banega, but it will have to make do. The South Americans have fielded a team to control the pace of the game against a very athletic team.

STAT ALERT:

The average age of Argentina’s starting line-up is 30 years and 189 days.

Group D fixture:

Iceland will be taking on Croatia in the other Group D fixture at the Rostov Arena. Croatia have already qualified, but it is a rat race for the other qualifying spot with  Iceland still mathematically possessing a chance to progress into the Round of 16. This is effectively a knockout fixture for Iceland and a win tonight could do wonders for the small nation.

Deafening. That’s the word for it when Argentina fans raise their voices here. Superb fans. It doesn’t feel so different from four years ago in Brazil! They marched to the Maracana and nearly conquered Rio and the world.

A reminder of the permutations in this group.  Croatia top the group with six points and have qualified. Nigeria are second with three points and the goal difference of nil. Iceland, the debutants, follows in third with one point and a goal difference of -2. The South American are bottom with one point and a goal difference of -3. Messi and co will qualify with a win if Iceland don’t outdo them against Croatia. The problem for Argentina is that Croatia have rested nine players against the Vikings.

Earlier this year I interviewed Rohr and asked him about that comparison. He told me: “The generation of the mid-90’s was exceptional. They are not yet at the same level. They have to work and they have to do much more to progress. The World Cup will be the opportunity to show something great. I think they can do it, but they are very, very young. It will be difficult to play experienced opponents with our youthfulness and our dynamic football, but they can do very well.”

Team news!

There is plenty of optimism in the camp of the Super Eagles. They have a history of losing against Argentina in the World Cup. In fact, Nigeria have never won against the Albiceleste in the finals. Four years ago, they succumbed 3-2, but, at the time, both teams progressed from the group stages. Musa scored twice in that game. He scored two the other day against Iceland. Just saying. Coach Gernot Rohr suggested at the press conference on Monday that his team can do it. A draw suffices for the Super Eagles (if Iceland do not beat Croatia) They are a young team and have often been likened to Nigeria’s golden generation in the 90s.

Team news!

Argentina have a new team! At least, that is what it looks like. No more 3-5-2, but a 4-4-2 instead, with Franco Armani, Marcos Rojo, Ever Banega, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain replacing Willy Caballero, Eduardo Salvio, Maximiliano Meza, Marcos Acuna and Sergio Aguero. At least this formation should prevent Argentina from playing 2-4-4, which they did against Iceland at times. How mad was that! It should also prevent their midfield from being exposed too easily as the Croatians did. Messi joins Higuain up front. Dropping Aguero does come across as bizarre. He has been the only player to score for the South Americans at this World Cup. He has also looked most dangerous in and around the opponent’s box. In the end, it boils down to two simple questions: will Argentina be balanced and can Messi be teed up?

Nigeria vs Argentina

What a time to be alive! Have I said that before? Well, forgive me, but Argentina – Nigeria should be an absolute cracker in St Petersburg. Argentinean fans have been taking over Petrograd, but that chaotic 3-0 defeat at the hands of Argentina will still be fresh in their minds. It was pure anarchy from Argentina and above all tragic. Messi was tragic and so were the ten other protagonists against Modric and his dainty ensemble. Did the team rebel against their coach afterwards? Will this be Lionel Messi’s last ever match at a World Cup? Can you be a GOAT without winning the high mass of the global game? So much intrigue, so many narratives.

Nigeria vs Argentina

It’s 8.30pm in St Petersburg. Argentina and Nigeria are out on the pitch, warming up. Messi receives a huge roar from the Argentina fans. Is this the beginning of the end for Argentina and their most sacred player or is there to be a twist in this maddening plot of rebellion, disappointment and underachievement?

Team news

Jorge Sampaoli makes five changes from the 3-0 thrashing by Croatia. Gernot Rohr makes no changes to his side

Argentina: Armani; Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Perez, Mascherano, Banega, Di Maria; Messi, Higuaín.

Nigeria: Uzoho; Omeruo, Balogun, Ekong; Moses, Etebo, Ndidi, Mikel, Idowu; Musa, Iheanacho.

Samindra Kunti, freelance football writer for Firstpost, and Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri preview the Nigeria vs Argentina clash which starts in exactly 90 minutes. Watch! 

Preview: Nigeria vs Argentina

Lionel Messi’s Argentina face their World Cup day of destiny on Tuesday, needing a win to have any chance of progressing to the last-16.

Argentina will look to join Spain, Portugal, Russia and Uruguay in the next round but must rely on the outcome of the other match in Group D.

Held to a draw by tiny Iceland – with Messi missing a penalty – and humbled by Croatia, Jorge Sampaoli’s men could already be packing their bags.

The maths is simple: if Argentina beat Nigeria and Iceland fail to win against Group D leaders Croatia, they will go through to the last-16. If Iceland win, it will be time to get the calculators out.

Argentina’s struggles in Russia come after their pre-tournament preparations were wrecked by controversy and poor form, coupled with a reliance on a top-heavy, limited squad.

The Argentine federation was even moved to confirm that coach Jorge Sampaoli would continue for the final group game amid rumours of a rift between players and coach.

“We have to make our goal five games to reach the final. Tomorrow will be the first final,” said the defiant coach on the eve of the game in Saint Petersburg.

“No matter who plays tomorrow will have the obligation to give until the last bead of sweat so that Argentina will go through.”

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the 39th and 40th of the FIFA World Cup 2018, which will be played between Nigeria vs Argentina and Iceland vs Croatia respectively.