MESSI JOY AS ARGIES AVOID EXIT
RELIEVED Leo Messi confessed Argentina almost buckled under the strain before squeezing into the World Cup last 16. Marcos Rojo’s stunning late winner
hauled the South Americans back from the brink of disaster and through to a showdown with France on Saturday.
Messi lashed in a wonder goal for the opener but a second-half Victor Moses penalty had the Argies heading out until Rojo struck.
And Nigeria were left fuming 13 minutes from time when Turkish ref Cuneyt Cakir refused to award them another spotkick for a Rojo handball.
Messi said: “We have suffered a lot, it was a difficult situation. It was a huge release and relief for all of us.
“We already knew we were going to win, we were confident God would help us, that all would turn out well. But we didn’t expect the complication of the draw, of suffering so much.
“What’s important is we went through.”
Boss Jorge Sampaoli added: “My players play with their heart – they are true rebels.
“They are excellent players and wanted to show that. We fought until the very last minute. It’s a vital victory for the future.”
Nigeria midfielder Jon Obi Mikel raged at the spot-kick snub and said: “It was a clear penalty. The ref looked at the VAR. He said it hit the hand. I asked why he didn’t give it but he said he didn’t know.”