NIGERIA LOOKING FOR FIRST VICTORY
NIGERIA will be desperate to break their losing sequence when they play Argentina in a Group D qualifier at the World Cup. Russia 2018 marks the Super Eagles’ sixth global finals appearance and they are preparing for their fifth meeting with La Albiceleste at the tournament.
Since they first met in 1994 Argentina have beaten Nigeria five times. With Croatia having already qualified from Group D, Nigeria and Argentina lock horns once again, this time at St Petersburg Stadium, with ambitions of reaching the Round of 16. Ahead of the crunch clash, FIFA.com dips into the archives to look at the sides’ previous meetings at the World Cup – from their maiden meeting at USA 1994 to their most recent at Brazil 2014.
Argentina 2 - 1 Nigeria USA 1994
FOXBORO STADIUM, BOSTON Flair, style and power; Nigeria captured the imagination of fans around the globe with their exciting football when they made their World Cup debut at USA 1994.When they recorded a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in their opener, while Argentina put four past Greece, fireworks were expected when the two sides met in Boston. Samson Siasia put the Super Eagles in front, but a first-half brace from Claudio Caniggia sealed an Albiceleste comeback. Both nations would bow out at the Round of 16 stage.
Argentina 1 - 0 Nigeria KOREA/JAPAN 2002
KASHIMA STADIUM, IBARAKI They may have missed each other at France 1998 but Argentina and Nigeria were reacquainted at Korea/Japan 2002, the first global finals to be held in Asia. In Group F’s opener, a second-half header from, you guessed it right, Gabriel Batistuta proved the difference between the two sides in a tight affair. It was to be La Albiceleste’s only win at the tournament (they lost to England and drew with Sweden), while Nigeria failed to record a victory (beaten 2-1 by Sweden and drew 0-0 with England), as both nations failed to progress to the knockout stages.
Argentina 1 - 0 Nigeria SOUTH AFRICA 2010
ELLIS PARK STADIUM Blessed with a formidable attack of Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi, it was an unlikely hero who bagged Argentina’s solitary goal in this encounter. Defender Gabriel Heinze gave his side the perfect start on six minutes with a flying header, consigning Nigeria to defeat in their first World Cup match since 2002. Led by head coach Diego Maradona, La Albiceleste would eventually reach the quarterfinal stage, while Nigeria headed for home after the group stages.
Nigeria 2 - 3 Argentina BRAZIL 2014
Argentina clinched Group F’s top spot while Nigeria claimed second in this memorable Brazil 2014 encounter. Lionel Messi, the eventual Golden Ball winner, and Ahmed Musa both bagged braces before Marcos Rojo snatched the winner for the South Americans, maintaining Argentina’s perfect record against the Super Eagles at the global finals - all by a one-goal margin.