Nigeria vs Argentina [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2018 dream with late winner to send Nigeria home

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU__QJ6phJIh_2mfbKf1Yigdy-A9DQ0Fa-nZr2pJ8IfLevS7CwL_nfAdOn1C1Mzj5p_ijrDM9A-H3IyoqYJjOFkSHvrC-2LVSFbWhFhOMXyJgOy5t2vA0M6YlJO8ITbjUqLvGZHvPfoCj2/s1600/Nigeria+vs+Argentina.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU__QJ6phJIh_2mfbKf1Yigdy-A9DQ0Fa-nZr2pJ8IfLevS7CwL_nfAdOn1C1Mzj5p_ijrDM9A-H3IyoqYJjOFkSHvrC-2LVSFbWhFhOMXyJgOy5t2vA0M6YlJO8ITbjUqLvGZHvPfoCj2/s640/Nigeria+vs+Argentina.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigeria vs Argentina  [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina</td></tr> </tbody></table> In the end it was not a Messi moment but an extraordinary volley from the right-boot of Marcos Rojo which saved Argentina at this World Cup, which sent them into the last-16 and which prolonged the international career of the best player the planet has probably ever seen. <br /> <br /> <div> Lionel Messi scored and scored a brilliant goal but, in itself, it was not enough against Nigeria who are out and will depart Russia with a sense of injustice and not least because at the identity of the man who sent them out. The Manchester United defender had already gone unpunished after catching Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho with a ridiculously high boot in the penalty area in the first-half and Rojo survived another spot-kick appeal - which even went to VAR after the referee Cuneyt Cakir was told to double-check it - when he headed the ball against his own arm in the second-half. <br /> <br /></div> Then as Argentina seemed to be subsumed by their angst, by the devils which have gripped them and the weight of expectation which has overwhelmed them Messi intervened again. Except it was to roll a simple pass down the right touchline for Gabriel Mercado to send in a cross. Quite what Rojo was doing there in the first place who knows but such was Argentina’s plight at that point - when they had lost all shape and formation - that they needed something unlikely.<br /> <br /> Instead of Gonzalo Higuain, instead of Sergio Aguero, who had also come on by that stage, it was the centre-half to strike the sweetest of volleys which tore past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and into the net. There were 86 minutes on the clock. Just four minutes plus injury-time to go.<br /> <br /> That clock was so close to ticking down but on an increasingly feverish and desperate night in St Petersburg, a night when the city and the stadium was turned into a fervent sea of blue and white clad, chanting Argentinians they saved themselves and will go forward from Group D, runners-up to Croatia, to face France, after collecting just four points from three unconvincing performances.<br /> <br /> When that final whistle went all control was lost. The bench exploded onto the pitch, the players slumped in God-like prayer, including their little God Messi, who actually stood motionless in this maelstrom deep in his own thoughts and communications. Coach Jorge Sampaoli had also earned his reprieve even if his influence on this squad is so damaged that he will not remain in his post, come what may.<br /> <br /> Even at half-time the cameras cut to the tunnel to catch Messi giving a team-talk while the rumours were that his team-mate Javier Mascherano had helped select the starting XI which was, in fact, the oldest ever to appear at a World Cup with an average age of 30 years and 189 days.<br /> <br /> It felt like a team out of touch, out of time and out of this tournament despite their undeniable, dervish effort. But there was only one thirty-something who matters and Messi was not bowing out. Not now. Not yet. This World Cup has been a brilliant festival of football but it was lacking one thing. It was lacking Messi. And he gave it. His first-half goal was simply beautiful in every aspect. It came as Ever Banega, one of five changes made by Sampaoli or, rather, by the players as the coach drowns in a sea of revolt, flighted a glorious pass forward which picked out Messi.<br /> <br /> The forward took it down on his thigh, as he sprinted, cushioned it with his left-foot,  accelerated to give him sufficient space ahead of defender Kenneth Omeruo, of Chelsea, and slammed a right-footed shot back across Uzoho. The goalkeeper was left grasping air, the ball was in the net and Messi was scampering off in celebration. In the stands Diego Maradona folded his arms across his chest and raised his eyes to the heavens in relief. And with that it was the 100th goal of this World Cup, Messi became the first player to score in this competition as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s and 660 World Cup minutes without a goal ended for him.<br /> <br /> Messi had been stationed out towards the right-wing in this re-worked team but, for 45 inspired minutes, he simply used that as his launch-pad. It was his finely-weighted pass that split the Nigerian defence to send Higuain through only for Uzoho to smother and he stepped up to take the free-kick after Leon Balogun tripped Angel Di Maria. From it Messi swung his shot left-footed across goal with the ball cannoning back off the far post. It would have gone in but for a finger-tip touch from the diving Uzoho.<br /> <br /> Nigeria have proved themselves to be far better in the second-half of matches and so it proved again. If one of Messi’s tunnel messages was to concentrate, not do anything stupid then it was not heeded by Mascherano who foolishly held Balogun at Nigeria’s first corner after the re-start. The penalty was given and Victor Moses calmly stroked it beyond debutant goalkeeper Franco Armani to level the scores.<br /> <br /> Argentina were stunned. Suddenly panic set in as they desperately tried to regain the initiative. The body language of both sets of players switched and Iheanacho’s replacement, Odion Ighalo, shot wastefully wide and was later denied by Armani when he had to score. By now nerves were frayed. Argentina escaped the penalty appeal, a draw would not be enough but, through Rojo, they grasped the lifeline.<br /> <br /> <br />  source: telegraph.co.uk

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Argentina Football Team Featured FIFA World Cup Lionel Messi Marcos Rojo Nigeria Football Team Nigeria vs Argentina Sports Victor Moses Nigeria vs Argentina [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2018 dream with late winner to send Nigeria home

Nigeria vs Argentina  [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina In the end it was not a Messi moment but an extraordinary volley from the ri...

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Nigeria vs Iceland [2:0] FIFA World Cup 2018 Match Highlights, Ahmed Musa fires Nigeria into lead.

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hm41nYd2EsH3SQZAgpL38xI19yXu-VnPtQK2rCNoBPxErCmsoit9oomNMvQc20g80QQ8bAnn5kmHTCUMABmfPX5UYcYVLvNTVzvVPc6vmEkvMtKSGrlZf5iV05hzD7O_09ndwt7r86zE/s1600/Nigeria-vs-Iceland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hm41nYd2EsH3SQZAgpL38xI19yXu-VnPtQK2rCNoBPxErCmsoit9oomNMvQc20g80QQ8bAnn5kmHTCUMABmfPX5UYcYVLvNTVzvVPc6vmEkvMtKSGrlZf5iV05hzD7O_09ndwt7r86zE/s640/Nigeria-vs-Iceland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigeria vs Iceland [2:0] FIFA World Cup 2018 Match</td></tr> </tbody></table> Ahmed Musa scored both goals as Nigeria swept aside World Cup debutants Iceland to leave Group D intriguingly poised with one round of games to go. The Super Eagles would have gone out with defeat but came good in Volgograd.<br /> <br /> Musa showed superb technique to fire Nigeria ahead on the half-volley before the Leicester player rounded keeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson to make it 2-0.<br /> Iceland missed a late penalty - awarded after a video assistant referee review - when Gylfi Sigurdsson fired over.<br /> <br /> The result gives a slight lift to beleaguered group rivals Argentina. Victory over Nigeria in their final game would see La Albiceleste safely into the last 16 - as long as Iceland do not beat group leaders Croatia. In that event, goal difference would decide who progressed.<br /> <br /> Victory in that game for Nigeria, on the other hand, would now guarantee their progress. Having started the day bottom of the group, they find themselves second - three points behind Croatia, who have already qualified for the knockout stage.<br /> <h3> Musa the difference as Super Eagles soar</h3> Having gone down 2-0 to Croatia in their first game, Nigeria would have joined African rivals Egypt and Morocco in exiting the tournament early if they had lost here.<br /> They started slowly, becoming the first team in Russia not to have a shot in the first 45 minutes.<br /> Yet they were a different proposition after the interval as they went on to secure only a second win in 14 games at a World Cup finals.<br /> Musa, who ended last season at CSKA Moscow on loan from Leicester City, proved the difference having been recalled to the team after the Croatia defeat.<br /> <br /> <br /> He showed exceptional quality to open the scoring, controlling a cross by Victor Moses before lashing home from 10 yards.<br /> Having scored one of the goals of the tournament, Musa then hit the bar before scoring his second after Iceland's defence had gone walkabout.<br /> That goal ensured he became his country's all-time top scorer in World Cup games with four.<br /> Nigeria still have to beat Argentina to make sure of extending their stay in Russia but this performance, particularly in the second half, will give the youngest side at the World Cup a huge lift for Tuesday's group finale.<br /> <h3> Iceland melt in Volgograd heat</h3> Iceland went into the game having already tamed Lionel Messi - coming from behind to draw 1-1 with two-time winners Argentina in Moscow - and victory over Nigeria would have left them on the brink of the knockout stage.<br /> Instead the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament are not in control of their destiny after wilting in the Volgograd heat.<br /> It had started well for Iceland, Sigurdsson forcing two saves from 19-year-old keeper Francis Uzoho inside the opening five minutes; as many shots on target as they managed in 90 minutes against Argentina.<br /> Yet they faded and were distinctly second best after the interval.<br /> Iceland were gifted a chance to score in the closing stages after Tyronne Ebuehi's 80th-minute foul on Alfred Finnbogason.<br /> But Sigurdsson's penalty, awarded after a VAR review, summed up his country's day, flying high and wide.<br /> <h3 class="sp-story-body__cross-head"> Who needs what to reach the knockout stage?</h3> The last two games in Group D take place on Tuesday at the same time - 19:00 BST.<br /> <b>Croatia</b> - guaranteed a place in the last 16 after winning their first two games but need one point against Iceland to guarantee finishing top.<br /> <b>Nigeria</b> - will join Croatia in the knockout stages if they beat Argentina. However, a draw would be enough if Iceland do not beat Croatia.<br /> <b>Iceland</b> - must beat Croatia and hope Nigeria don't beat Argentina. Goal difference could prove vital and Iceland need a handsome win as Nigeria can still advance with a draw.<br /> <b>Argentina</b> - will advance if they beat Nigeria and Iceland don't beat Croatia. Again, goal difference could be crucial.<br /> <h3> Man of the match - Ahmed Musa (Nigeria)</h3> <br /> Ahmed Musa's first goal was exceptional. The Leicester forward's second was not bad either. He has now scored Nigeria's last four World Cup goals<br /> <h3> 'This World Cup has come too early' - what they said</h3> <b>Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr:</b> "What I like in my young team is humility, solidarity and fighting spirit. I thought before this World Cup we were here to learn. <br /> "I think this team will be ready in 2022 and this World Cup is coming early, but we have a good chance to win against Argentina."<br /> <b>Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson:</b> "It's a strange fact that we are still in the race. We didn't think we would go through this World Cup without a loss and losses are always difficult to swallow. But we can still go through.<br /> "We've played Croatia four times in four years and we've often said we're like a married couple trying to get divorced but we always meet up again."<br /> <h3> Teenage keeper impresses - the stats</h3> <ul> <li>Nigeria's Francis Uzoho is the second youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match (19 years, 237 days), behind only Li Chan-myong in North Korea's 1-0 win over Italy in July 1966 (19 years, 198 days).</li> <li>This was Iceland's first ever defeat in a group stage match at a major international tournament, having previously drawn three and won one of four games.</li> <li>All six of Nigeria's wins at the World Cup have come against European opposition, and they have kept a clean sheet in five of those six victories.</li> <li>This is Nigeria's first victory in a World Cup game by a margin of more than one goal since they beat Greece 2-0 in 1994 at their first ever World Cup tournament.</li> <li>Iceland have failed to score a goal in a match at either the European Championships or World Cup for the first time, in what was their seventh such game (five at the Euros, two at the World Cup).</li> </ul> <h3> What's next?</h3> Nigeria's last game of the group phase is against Argentina in St Petersburg on Tuesday (19:00 BST) while Iceland face group leaders Croatia in Rostov-on-Don at the same time.<br /> <br /> Source: BBC

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Ahmed Musa Featured FIFA World Cup Iceland football team Nigeria Football Team Nigeria vs Iceland Sports Super Eagles Nigeria vs Iceland [2:0] FIFA World Cup 2018 Match Highlights, Ahmed Musa fires Nigeria into lead.

Nigeria vs Iceland [2:0] FIFA World Cup 2018 Match Ahmed Musa scored both goals as Nigeria swept aside World Cup debutants Iceland to l...

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