Aguero collapses at halftime

MOSCOW: Argentina striker Sergio Aguero collapsed in the dressing room at halftime before they lost 4-2 to fellow World Cup qualifiers Nigeria after taking a two-goal lead in a friendly in Krasnodar, Russia, yesterday.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) said Aguero, who scored in the first half, was taken away for routine examinations.

His Premier League club Manchester City said the 29-year-old Aguero had been cleared by doctors to return to England as planned after he suffered what they called “a dizzy spell”.

“Sergio never lost consciousness, and was taken to hospital for precautionary medical checks,” City said on their official website.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli rested Lionel Messi following the 1-0 win over next year’s World Cup hosts Russia on Saturday and it seemed they could cope without him.

Ever Banega curled in a free kick in the 28th minute and Aguero finished off a sweeping counter-attack eight minutes later. But Kelechi Iheanacho inspired Nigeria’s fightback.

First, he scored from a free kick on the stroke of halftime and then set up the equaliser for Alex Iwobi to net seven minutes after the re-start. The Super Eagles took the lead two minutes later when Brian Idowu sidefooted home from the edge of the area. A superb goal by Iwobi completed the comeback in the 73rd minute as he collected the ball, slipped it between Javier Mascherano’s legs and fired past Agustin Marchesin. – Reuters