Nigeria emerged as the first African nation to qualify for the second round in Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup with Algeria hoping to join later today.
Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina sealed top spot in Group F with a 3-2 victory over Nigeria, but the Super Eagles still made the round of 16.
It wasn’t long, though, before Messi again took centre stage. A minute into first-half injury time, and having forced a brilliant save from the keeper with an earlier free-kick, he re-established La Albiceleste’s lead from an almost-identical position.
This time, there was no chance for Enyeama, with the Barcelona star curling a left-foot shot from 25 yards that cleared the wall and dropped just inside the right-hand post.
But once again, Nigeria wasted little time in responding to Messi’s brilliance. Just a couple of minutes into the second half, Musa emulated the Argentina skipper by completing a double of his own, racing through and wrong-footing Sergio Romero with a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
It was a very encouraging performance from the African Champions, Nigeria.
The two sides have meet four times at the World Cup, with the South American side winning in all the matches.
It was another interesting and goal feast game that produced five scintillating goals and interesting play from both team.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was fantastic, as he denied Messi and Di Maria from increasing the goal tally for Argentina.
Ahmed Musa was always a threat, finishing his goals superbly and Onazi breaking up the play and creating a beautiful assist for Musa who buried the ball in the Argentina net.
The first two goals of an entertaining encounter came within the opening four minutes. Argentina found themselves ahead inside three minutes when Messi slashed unto a rebound and smashed it into the roof of the net after Angel Di Maria’s effort had ricocheted between the post and goalkeeper.
Nigeria were unable to force an equaliser but, with Iran losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the group’s other game, they were still able to claim second place in the group.
While Nigeria entered their final Group F fixture needing a draw to guarantee their progression, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s 3-1 triumph over Iran meant that they qualified anyway.
The Africa Cup of Nations champions look likely to face France in the last 16, with Argentina probably on course to tackle Switzerland or Ecuador.
Anthony Nlebem
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