Group B: Argentina v Nigeria

[Heaven Up Here]

How do you rate Nigeria's chances of winning this one?

[budmustang]

I'm really unsure. Nigeria could come out and boss the game with their pace and power. I can't see Maradona's lot reacting well to that and their recent defensive record suggests they aren't too difficult to break down. But if Nigeria allow Argentina to get comfortable on the ball then there'll only be one winner. With the likes of Messi, Argentina have always got a few goals in them. So it all depends on Nigeria's attitude. Don't show Argentina too much respect.

[moundman]

one advantage for Nigeria is the fact that Argentina is managed by Diego
Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't he want to only pick domestic based players for the squad

[Heaven Up Here]

Frances Awaratife... WTF was he waffling on about? :?

[Lumper]

Goalski...

What a header!!!

[budmustang]

It's not looking good for the Super Eagles! 1-0.

Good to see Veron playing. Old guys do have their uses on a pitch!

[Lumper]

It's not looking good for the Super Eagles! 1-0.

Good to see Veron playing. Old guys do have their uses on a pitch!

Fertlizer??

[budmustang]

Haha... yes. That's all I'm good for anyway.

[Red-4-Life]

Argentina...too good

[metaldomes]

Argentina will win, I belive.

[budmustang]

How many times is the commentator going to say "Argentinia"?

[swannsong]

How many times is the commentator going to say "Argentinia"?

It's an Argentinian foot disease !

[coachingsoccer]

Messi was a bit unlucky not to score one or more goals in this game. But Nigeria's keeper was real class, respect.

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

One goal enough for Maradona's Argentina against Nigeria


Robert Smith From: AFP June 13, 2010 6:55AM


Argentina v Nigeria
LIONEL Messi conjured a spellbinding opening to the World Cup but a single goal was enough for Argentina to beat Nigeria 1-0 in Johannesburg.

The world's best player was in irresistible form as the two-time world champions dominated Nigeria at Ellis Park Stadium, but only had Gabriel Heinze's sixth-minute goal to show for their superiority in an exhilarating spectacle before 55,686 noisy fans.

Messi taunted the Africans with his mesmerising skill and virtuosity and was denied his first goal at South Africa 2010 only by the acrobatic saves of Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

With coach Diego Maradona prowling his sideline technical area for the whole match, Argentina could not find the second killer goal as the uninhibited Nigerians came close several times in the second half to grabbing an equaliser.

It was a rasping Messi volley tipped over the bar by Enyeama that indirectly led to the only goal in the opening minutes.


Juan Sebastian Veron's corner picked up unmarked Heinze hurtling in late and the Marseille defender headed powerfully past Enyeama to send the large contingent of Argentine fans wild.

Argentina had numerous scoring chances, none more so than Messi's charge on goal nine minutes from time.

Yet again he was thwarted by Enyeama's blocking feet to keep the Nigerians in the game.

On another occasion Carlos Tevez triggered a counter-attack from deep inside his own half in the 65th minute and set up Messi only for him to shoot agonisingly past the post with Enyeama beaten.

Left-back Taye Taiwo came closest for Nigeria in the second half with his thumping volley just fizzing past the far post on 71 minutes.

But the Nigerians made the openings only to spoil their chances with errant finishing with Hoffenheim's left winger Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi going close on a couple of occasions in the first half.

Argentina's Newcastle United defensive midfielder Jonas Gutierrez and Nigeria midfielder Lukman Haruna picked up yellow cards in the match.

Argentina have won all three of their matches with Nigeria at the World Cup after winning 2-1 at the 1994 tournament in the USA - Maradona's last international appearance as he was then sent home in disgrace for failing a drugs test - and 1-0 at the 2002 Korea/Japan edition.

Nigeria's last victory at the World Cup was back in 1998 when they beat Bulgaria 1-0 and since then the Super Eagles have lost five games and drawn one.

[pingers]

Messi was a bit unlucky not to score one or more goals in this game. But Nigeria's keeper was real class, respect.

Agreed. Hat off to the keeper, he would be loving it! Could put him on the radar for some big european clubs? Not sure where he plays at the moment though.

[Loppermann]

Messi was a bit unlucky not to score one or more goals in this game. But Nigeria's keeper was real class, respect.

Agreed. Hat off to the keeper, he would be loving it! Could put him on the radar for some big european clubs? Not sure where he plays at the moment though.

agreed, keeper was inspired
plays in Israel currently, but if he keeps up that form throughout the tournament I see him moving to one of the big leagues in Europe

[BIG RED]

Nigeria defender ball watching for the Argentina goal umm and then there was the south african defenders doing the same for the mexican goal.

The South African goal was a beauty - could lead up play and what a finish. imo best goal so far and will be hard to better.

[David Puddy]

Argentina looked pretty good actually.
Messi unlucky after some great saves from Enyeama and each of the other forwards (Higuain, Tevez) missed chances while Walter Samuel could have done better from a couple of free headers.
Would be happy if i was an Argie.

[Juventino]

Argentina looked pretty good actually.
Messi unlucky after some great saves from Enyeama and each of the other forwards (Higuain, Tevez) missed chances while Walter Samuel could have done better from a couple of free headers.
Would be happy if i was an Argie.

[Red-4-Life]

Messi was great, unlucky not to score.

[Loppermann]

Messi was great, unlucky not to score.

thought he was pretty ordinary for supposedly the world's best player

[coachingsoccer]

Messi was a bit unlucky not to score one or more goals in this game. But Nigeria's keeper was real class, respect.

Agreed. Hat off to the keeper, he would be loving it! Could put him on the radar for some big european clubs? Not sure where he plays at the moment though.

agreed, keeper was inspired
plays in Israel currently, but if he keeps up that form throughout the tournament I see him moving to one of the big leagues in Europe

Plays for Maccabi Haifa if I remember right. And yes, if he continues to play like that he will go to a better league surely. My best bet is on French league, they seem to trust African goallies in some way (which is not so common in football world).

[Loppermann]

Plays for Maccabi Haifa if I remember right. And yes, if he continues to play like that he will go to a better league surely. My best bet is on French league, they seem to trust African goallies in some way (which is not so common in football world).

plays for Hapoel, not Maccabi Haifa

[coachingsoccer]

Plays for Maccabi Haifa if I remember right. And yes, if he continues to play like that he will go to a better league surely. My best bet is on French league, they seem to trust African goallies in some way (which is not so common in football world).

plays for Hapoel, not Maccabi Haifa

Thanks, wasn't sure. My bad

[Loppermann]

Plays for Maccabi Haifa if I remember right. And yes, if he continues to play like that he will go to a better league surely. My best bet is on French league, they seem to trust African goallies in some way (which is not so common in football world).

plays for Hapoel, not Maccabi Haifa

Thanks, wasn't sure. My bad

no need to be sarcastic because you're wrong

[coachingsoccer]

plays for Hapoel, not Maccabi Haifa

Thanks, wasn't sure. My bad

no need to be sarcastic because you're wrong

wasn't sarcastic, really ;)

By the way, shame to see him play cracking again, but making such a mistake on last goal...

[Loppermann]

wasn't sarcastic, really ;)

By the way, shame to see him play cracking again, but making such a mistake on last goal...

why the eye roll?

[coachingsoccer]

wasn't sarcastic, really ;)

By the way, shame to see him play cracking again, but making such a mistake on last goal...

why the eye roll?

at myself, for messing with club names.