Messi-less Argentina lose 2-4
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero was taken to hospital for checks after he fainted during half-time of the team’s friendly match against Nigeria yesterday.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on its Twitter account that the Manchester City forward “had a blackout and was taken (to hospital) so routine examinations were made only as a precaution”.
The AFA gave no further details on the incident, which occurred after Aguero had scored in the first half.
Three hours after the game, the AFA said Aguero was back at the hotel with his teammates.
SQUANDERED GOALS
Argentine media published pictures of Aguero walking out of the stadium.
In the match, an Argentina side without Lionel Messi squandered a two-goal lead and slipped to a shock 4-2 defeat.
Ever Banega and Aguero gave Argentina the lead, with Aguero’s Manchester City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho pulling a goal back for Nigeria just before halftime with a free kick.
Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored twice and Brian Idowu also found the net for Nigeria in the second half.
Argentina defender Javier Mascherano said: “Playing against a team of such physical strength, you pay the price. They walked all over us ... and when we tried to get back on the match we couldn’t.”
Argentina only secured their spot in the next World Cup in the last round of South American qualifiers and have not delivered convincing performances without Messi.