Argentina 1-0 Nigeria

Argentina claimed a 1-0 win over Nigeria in World Cup Group B, but they could have had a lot more than Gabriel Heinze's sixth minute header to show for their superior creativity.

Heinze turned in a Juan Sebatian Veron corner to give his side a victory which could easily have been more convincing as the Albiceleste carved out a number of opportunities against the resilient Super Eagles outfit.
Argentina began as expected, with Jonas Gutierrez at right back and with a very attacking approach.

Within the first 60 seconds Lionel Messi very nearly sent Carlos Tevez free, but the striker was just unable to get the ball out from under his feet.

Nigeria struck back though, and they had their first chance when Gutierrez misread the flight of a cross and Chinedu Obasi skipped past him, but his shot was well wide of Sergio Romero’s goal.

It was a lightning start, and the Albiceleste should have had the lead when Messi danced past three challengers before squaring for Gonzalo Higuain, but the Real Madrid forward somehow managed to sidefoot wide when it seemed easier to score.

Messi then had a chance all of his own when Tevez played a neat pass into him and, with plenty of space, he delivered a delightful chip which Vincent Enyeama did well to push over.

But there was no relief for the Super Eagles as Argentina opened the scoring from the resulting corner.

Juan Sebastian Veron’s flag-kick was dragged in towards the penalty spot, where it was met by a strong header by athe stooping Gabriel Heinze which escaped the attentions of a Nigerian defender on the line to send the favourites ahead.

Despite the apparent early dominance of Diego Maradona’s men, a slip by Walter Samuel very nearly let Victor Obinna in to craft an equaliser, but the stopper got back to foil Obinna and concede a corner before apologising to his team-mates for the error.

Enyeama had to be on his toes once more when Veron played a magnificent long-range ball forward towards Messi, but the Nigeria No. 1 came out to claim the ball at the second attempt ahead of the No. 10.

Within moments though the Balon d’Or holder was again causing trouble, picking up another neat Tevez pass before taking on a man and curling a low left-footed effort towards the far post which Enyeama did well to palm away from danger.

Argentina continued to make chances, and Higuain had another good chance on 21 minutes, but his right foot shot was well blocked by the increasingly overworked Enyeama.

Soon after Samuel was left in space by Sani Kaita, but couldn’t guide his header on target.

Kaita almost more than made up for his mistake within minutes as Argentina struggled to clear Taye Taiwo’s long throw, but his right-foot volley from 20 yards didn’t trouble Romero.

The Super Eagles had an even better chance on 28 minutes as again Gutierrez made a misjudgement which allowed Obasi a sight of goal, but his dragged effort rolled agonisingly through the gap between the far post and the advancing Yakubu.

After a lull in proceedings it was once again Messi who brought the game to life, but again Enyeama was a match for him.

The diminutive Argentinian controlled perfectly, cut onto his left foot and unleashed a stinging, curling effort destined for the far corner, but Enyeama stretched superbly to push the ball away with his wrong hand.

It was a reasonably even beginning to the second half, but the Albiceleste could have doubled their lead when Higuain broke away.

Thankfully for Nigeria, Joseph Yobo had tracked his man all the way and made a fantastic last-ditch challenge.

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback made the first two changes of the game, bringing on Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie for Obinna and Obasi as he looked for fresh ideas in attack.

The changes seemed to have a positive effect, as the Super Eagles began to enjoy a period of possession, forcing three corners in quick succession.

But from the last of those, Tevez led a dangerous looking four-on-two break before feeding Messi, whose left foot shot went just wide of the far post.

Within seconds Higuain had a clear sight of goal, but was once again denied by Enyeama and on the break Odemwingie squandered a chance when he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet.

Taye Taiwo had possibly Nigeria’s best opening of the game on 71 minutes when he strode purposefully towards the Argentina penalty area and lashed a left foot effort just wide of the far post with Romero scrambling to get across.

As Odemwingie brought down Messi for an Argentina free-kick, on came Maxi Rodriguez to replace Veron and Kalu Uche for Taiwo.

When play eventually restarted Messi’s free-kick was a disappointing one, flying harmlessly high of the goal.

Haruna was then booked for an off-the-ball slash at Messi as Nigeria became frustrated by their inability to get back into the game.

They did have a chance moments later when Martins tried a spectacular 25 yard shot which Romero had some trouble keeping out before Odemwingie took too long getting a cross in from the loose ball.

Martins may have been better advised to play the winger in straight away, but he had made the keeper work nonetheless.

Diego Milito was then introduced by Maradona in place of Higuain, the Inter striker only getting 11 minutes to shine.

Argentina should then have wrapped up the game as Messi started and finished a delightful one-two with Maxi, but his shot was well parried by the marvellous Enyeama.

Nigeria broke from the resulting corner and Uche was guilty of missing an excellent chance as he tried to take a bouncing ball first time and could only side-foot over from the edge of the area.

Though the Super Eagles continued to keep Argentina honest at the back, the Albiceleste held out to give Diego Maradona a win on his debut as a coach at the World Cup.