ARGENTINA READY FOR FRENCH TEST AFTER ROJO SAVES DAY
▶ Relief for under-pressure Sampaoli as Messi finally arrives at finals party
Lionel Messi hit his first goal of the World Cup as Argentina narrowly avoided an embarrassing group-stage exit on Tuesday night – but vast improvements are needed if they are to go much further.
Messi’s effort against Nigeria, as he brilliantly cushioned the ball on his thigh before drilling into the far corner, was a thrilling reminder of his talent, largely conspicuous by its absence so far in Russia.
It was just a sixth World Cup goal in his fourth tournament but, combined with a late winner from Marcos Rojo, it was enough to send Argentina through to a clash with France for a place in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Messi was subdued during a tumultuous first two games in Russia, missing a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Iceland and then struggled to make an impact in the 3-0 battering by Croatia.
In that game, Argentina’s porous three-man defence was badly exposed, leaving the twotime world champions staring into the abyss and sparking rumours of a squad revolt.
The Argentine FA spoke out in support of embattled coach Jorge Sampaoli amid suggestions he would be sacked, with the 58-year-old absolving Messi of the blame for the Croatia disaster.
“The way the match was structured against Croatia didn’t suit Messi,” Sampaoli said.
While Messi’s World Cup hopes were hanging by a thread, eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s stock was soaring after his hat-trick against Spain and the winner over Morocco.
Javier Mascherano, Argentina’s most-capped player, shot down reports of strained relations between the players and Sampaoli as the team prepared for their do-or-die Nigeria showdown.
“The relationship with the coach is completely normal,” Mascherano said.
“Obviously, when we feel uncomfortable about something we speak with him because if we didn’t we would be hypocrites.”
Argentina’s 2-1 victory against Nigeria on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg, secured by Rojo’s thumping volley four minutes from the end, may have prolonged the international career of one of football’s all-time greats.
“We were confident that we were going to win the match,” Messi said afterwards. “It is amazing to have won it in this manner. It is a joy and one that we deserved.”
While the early exchanges passed him by, it took just one moment of magic to awaken a slumbering superstar, although Argentina’s momentum was fleeting.
Messi faded after Nigeria levelled early in the second half, the five-time world player of the year finding himself surrounded by a sea of green shirts.
But Rojo’s late heroics ensured Argentina live to fight another day and it was Messi, not the Manchester United defender, who was mobbed by his teammates at the final whistle.
Questions will continue over Sampaoli’s authority after the coach apparently sought Messi’s advice over the introduction of Sergio Aguero as a late substitute, with Argentina in desperate need of a goal.
Messi was also spotted issuing a half-time team talk in the tunnel before the players headed back out for the second period. Sampaoli, himself, was keen to credit his players with their revival that keeps alive their ambitions of winning the World Cup for a third time in their history and a first time since 1986.
“This victory was because the players were convinced they are excellent players,” he said.
“Today, they were able to win against a very tough opponent. We had the necessary strength to fight to the very last minute. The players were really brave and that courage made the second goal possible.”
Regardless of who calls the shots, Argentina now have just three days to prepare for their meeting with a talented France side in Kazan, where they will need everyone pulling in the same direction to keep the dream alive.
Messi, at least, is confident they are up to the task.
“We have watched every single France game,” he said of how well prepared they will be for the Group C winners.
“We follow every game. France is a very good team with skilled individual players. They have very fast players who can really make a difference. I know what we will have to do. It will be a very tough game, no doubt.”