Argentina v Nigeria full time result
Argentina 1 Nigeria 0
Gabriel Heinze's header was enough to give Argentina the three points in their first match of Group B at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, but Nigeria will be rueing their missed chances.
Marseille defender Heinze thumped home a header from a Juan Sebastien Veron corner just six minutes into a contest that would be largely dominated by the Argentinians, who failed to increase their advantage largely because of the brilliance of Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
The Hapoel Tel-Aviv stopper routinely denied Diego Maradona's men, saving three times each from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain.
Nigeria offered more as the match went on, with Kalu Uche sidefooting over from Yakubu's cross, and the Everton forward firing narrowly over.
The contest had started at a terrific pace, with Nigeria's Chinedu Obasi turning makeshift full back Jonas Gutierrez and firing wide, before a magical run from Messi resulted in a great chance for Higuain, who could only sidefoot meekly wide from six yards out.
As Messi's influence on the half grew, Veron's through ball almost picked him out, before a trademark snaking run in from the right flank resulted in a curling shot that Enyeama did well to parry.
Real Madrid striker Higuain then missed another glorious opportunity when played through by Carlos Tevez, before Walter Samuel headed over from a corner.
Nigeria were struggling to deal with the Argentinians, although Sani Kaita did volley wide after a Taye Taiwo long throw wasn't cleared, and Obasi snatched a left footed effort wide when well positioned.
Messi then tested Enyeama again before the break, and came close from a Veron cross shortly into the second half.
The introductions of Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie attempted to inspire the Super Eagles, and Kaita soon blazed another shot over the bar, but Argentina were always dangerous on the break, and Messi shot wide after an quick break that was led by Tevez, before the Barca man set up Higuain to again by denied by the excellent Enyeama.
The longer the match went on, the more dangerous the prospect of a Nigeria equaliser became, and Taiwo was narrowly wide with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area, before Martins struck an effort with even more venom, but which was straight at goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Uche fired over from a Yakubu cross, and an effort from the Everton striker soon went the same way, but Argentina continued to threaten on the break, as an uncharacteristic lack of control from Messi failed to make the most of a one-two with substitute Diego Milito.
Argentina hung on though, and join South Korea on three points in Group B.
Tags: