MESSI STRIKES WHEN NEEDED MOST
the game in the first half. Left-footed Rojo finished it off in the second with cushioned right-foot volley, ensuring Messi’s quest for a first World Cup title continued.
Argentina will play France in the last 16 in Kazan on Saturday. If Argentina wins and Portugal beats Uruguay on Saturday, Messi would face Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarterfinals.
Without Rojo’s goal, the 31-yearold Messi might have retired from international soccer for a second time — and for good this time.
Instead, it was Messi who was at the center of the celebrations. His teammates formed a circle around him while striker Gonzalo Higuain cried nearby.
Messi then clenched his fist as he turned toward the Argentina fans.
“He’s above everybody else,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said. “The most important thing for Leo is his human side. He cries. He suffers. He’s happy when Argentina wins. I know him.
“Many people say Leo does not enjoy playing for Argentina, but I do not agree. He enjoys and suffers like all the other players and that makes him even bigger.”
Before Rojo’s goal, Nigeria was only a few minutes from qualifying for the last 16 for the fourth time.
Javier Mascherano gave away a penalty with a pull on Leon Balogun at a 49th-minute corner. Victor Moses converted — and marked the goal with a somersault — to put Nigeria back in control of the race for second place in the group.
Argentina was facing finishing a World Cup without a win for the first time since 1934, but instead headed to the knockout stage.
“This is Messi,” Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said with a shrug. “It is what he does.”
of Argentina reacts after opening the scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Nigeria in St. Petersburg, Russia. The win vaulted Argentina into a last-16 match against France on Saturday.