Argentina 1-0 Nigeria: Nigeria could have done better
In the Argentina vs. Nigeria game, Argentina got their campaign off to a great winning start in Johannesburg with a narrow 1-0 victory. The Argentines had by far the greater number of chances and Lionel Messi was at the centre of all their moves. But the Barcelona striker was profligate in front of goal, and Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyema had an outstanding match.
Argentina started brightly, with Messi looking dangerous every time he got the ball. He released Carlos Tevez in the first minute and Gonzalo Hugain two minutes later but neither could quite find the net. Just moments later Messi himself came close when he lofted a shot towards the top corner from 19 yards out that was well stopped by Enyema. The goal wasn’t long in coming though, and it was defender Gabriel Heinze who got it. In the 6th minute, Heinze threw himself at a Juan Sebastian Veron corner to head the ball into the net. The goal was controversial, however, as his defensive partner Walter Samuel held back Obanni to allow Heinze a free header.
Heinze’s goal calmed the game a little but both teams were looking to play attacking football. Messi brought out another great save from Enyema with a curling shot in the 18th minute and Higuain should have made it two when Tevez put him clear on goal shortly after. Once again, Enyema brought off a great block save to foil the Real Madrid striker. But it wasn’t all Argentina. Argentina is highly vulnerable at the back with Jonas Gutierrez and Heinze floundering and Martin Demichelis looking out of his depth. Nigeria probed those weaknesses down the left wing but couldn’t find enough penetration to really trouble keeper Sergio Romero.
It was a reasonably even beginning to the second half, but the Albiceleste could have doubled their lead when Higuain broke away. Thankfully for Nigeria, Joseph Yobo had tracked his man all the way and made a fantastic last-ditch challenge. Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback made the first two changes of the game, bringing on Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie for Obinna and Obasi as he looked for fresh ideas in attack.
All these changes seemed to have a positive effect, as the Super Eagles began to enjoy a period of possession, forcing three corners in quick succession. But from the last of those, Tevez led a dangerous looking four-on-two break before feeding Messi, whose left foot shot went just wide of the far post.
Within seconds Higuain had a clear sight of goal, but was once again denied by Enyeama and on the break Odemwingie squandered a chance when he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet. Taye Taiwo had possibly Nigeria’s best opening of the game on 71 minutes when he strode purposefully towards the Argentina penalty area and lashed a left foot effort just wide of the far post with Romero scrambling to get across.
As Odemwingie brought down Messi for an Argentina free-kick, on came Maxi Rodriguez to replace Veron and Kalu Uche for Taiwo. When play eventually restarted Messi’s free-kick was a disappointing one, flying high above the goal. Haruna was then booked for an off-the-ball slash at Messi as Nigeria became frustrated by their inability to get back into the game. They did have a chance moments later when Martins tried a spectacular 25 yard shot which Romero had some trouble keeping out before Odemwingie took too long getting a cross in from the loose ball. Martins may have been better advised to play the winger in straight away, but he had made the keeper work nonetheless. Diego Milito was then introduced by Maradona in place of Higuain, the Inter striker getting only 11 minutes to shine.
Argentina should then have wrapped up the game as Messi started and finished a delightful one-two with Maxi, but his shot was well parried by the marvellous Enyeama. Nigeria broke from the resulting corner and Uche was guilty of missing an excellent chance as he tried to take a bouncing ball first time and could only side-foot over from the edge of the area. Though the Super Eagles continued to keep Argentina honest at the back, the Albicelestes held out to give Diego Maradona a win on his debut as a coach at the World Cup.
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