Argentina’s great escape
Lionel Messi and Argentina finally came alive at the Fifa World Cup.
Messi scored an exquisite 14th-minute goal to give the two-time champions the lead in a must-win game against Nigeria yesterday, but it wasn’t until Marcos Rojo’s
86th-minute strike that Argentina were assured of a place in the round of 16 with a
2-1 victory.
Argentina were in all sorts of trouble early in the second half when Victor Moses scored from the penalty spot in the 51st minute for Nigeria, putting the South Americans in danger of being eliminated without winning a match in Russia.
It took an unlikely goal by Rojo – a centreback – to save Argentina with a cushioned volley into the corner.
The win gave Argentina second place in group D and allowed the football-mad nation to forget about the 3-0 loss to Croatia last week. Croatia completed a 100 per cent record by beating Iceland 2-1.
Argentina will play France in the last 16 in Kazan on Sunday, keeping alive Messi’s quest for a first world title. He might have retired from international football for a second time – and for good this time – if it wasn’t for Rojo’s goal.
Messi’s team-mates poured off the bench to celebrate with him after the final whistle, forming a circle around him. While Gonzalo Higuain cried nearby, Messi clinched his fist as he turned toward the Argentina fans.
Messi’s 65th international goal owed as much to Ever Banega’s long, driven pass over the defence as the forward’s exquisite control on his left thigh, another touch with his left foot, and then a cool right-footed finish into the corner.
But when Javier Mascherano gave away the penalty with a pull on Leon Balogun at a 49th-minute corner, Nigeria were level at
1-1 – and going through instead of Argentina – after Moses converted the spot kick.
Argentina were facing finishing a World Cup without a win for the first time since 1934, but thanks to Rojo’s late winner are instead headed to the knockout stage.
There was much less drama in group C where France and Denmark advanced after a dull 0-0 draw. Australia’s 2-0 loss to Peru ended their slim hopes.