2014 FIFA World Cup: Nigeria vs Argentina - As it happened...

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Zee Media Bureau/Dattaraj Thaly Match Report» OUR FULL COVERAGE ON WORLD CUP 2014» Nigeria`s Team Profile» Nigeria`s squad» Argentina`s Team Profile» Argentina`s squad» Full list of Group Standings» Fixtures & Results» ==================================================================================== Despite the defeat, Nigeria go through thanks to Iran's 1-3 loss to Bosnia. Argentina go on to top the group with 3 out of 3 wins. FULL TIME: Nigeria 2-3 Argentina 90+4'- Di Maria spotted Enyeama off his line and tried to chip him from way out. The ball goes over the cross bar. 90'- 4 MINUTES ADDED ON 89'- Final change for Argentina - Higuain off. Biglia on. 88'- Mascherano whizzed one from outside the box. The ball was directed straight at the keeper. 86'- Lovely build up play from Nigeria saw the ball being played out to Ambrose on the right. He turned his defender inside out and let one fly from inside the box. Romero managed to save it. 84'- Higuain managed to slide a ball through for Di Maria, who was through on goal on the left and fired in a shot. The keeper blocked it. 82'- Bosnia lead Iran 3-1 now. 80' - GARAY MISSES OPEN HEADER! Di Maria fires in a lovely cross from the left that landed perfectly on Garay's head. The defender made a crisp connection but failed to direct it inside the goal. He was open and should have scored the fourth goal there. 78'- Innovative set-piece from Argentina. Lavezzi just tips the ball and makes a run. Di Maria, who stood on the ball lobbed it over the defender. Lavezzi volleyed the ball as it came down. Smart save by the keeper. 76'- Odemwingie's lofted cross is straight to Romero. He failed to pick out his teammates with that cross. 74'- Nigeria have not created any chance especially after their second goal. They need to create more if they want to equalize. 72'- Despite the score, Nigeria will go through as Bosnia lead Iran by 2-0. 69'- After Messi's departure, Argentina have slowed down the proceedings. The sting has gone out of this match. 66'- Michael Babatunde has to go off as a ball thundered onto his hands. He is replaced by Michael Uchebo. 63'- Messi is taken off. He has played his part. Ricardo Álvarez takes his place. 62'- BIG CHANCE. Mikel was in an off-side position. He took the shot as well and Romero collected. The scramble for the ball came to Mikel off a Argentine head. 60'- Rojo crossed a low left footed delivery from the flank. Messi had the attention of his marker but managed to slide and get the shot. The effort just missed the goal. 58'- Defending has been poor from both teams. They need to shore up things at the back. 57'- Corner for Argentina. Messi to deliver it. Poor delivery from the forward. 53'- Messi glides past all the tackles and slides the ball through for Higuain who fails to slot the ball inside. He has not been clinical this tournament. 50'- Rojo heads in Garay's deflected header of a Messi corner. This is a goal fest. GOAL! ROJO! 48'- Musa again. He drives inside the penalty area and fires in the ball low into the bottom left corner of the Argentina goal. GOAL! MUSA 46'- Here we go... HALF TIME: Nigeria 1-2 Argentina 45'- Messi with another free-kick. Absolutely stunning from Leo there. He curled in a free-kick from way out. The keeper had no chance as he thought of going for it but didn't. GOAL! MESSI 43'- Messi with the fee-kick for Argentina had the keeper pull off a spectacular full-stretch save. The ball was headed into the top left corner. 40'- The teams have settled down a bit now. The frantic pace seems to have dissipated. Argentina appear to be in control now. 37'- Sabellla will be worried about his star striker's injury. Argentina need a fit and firing Dzeko for the next round. 36'- Aguero seems to have picked up an injury. He is being taken off for Lavezzi. 35'- Zabaleta involved in a tussle with Emenike and ultimately fouls him. Free-kick to Nigeria. 34'- Higuain finds Di Maria on the left. The fingers curls in a ball that is headed out by the defenders. Argentina come again. 32'- Higuain challengers for the same ball as Enyeama. The keeper looks hurt here. He is back up now. 29'- Di Maria tries his luck from a distance. He aimed for the bottom right corner with that effort. The keeper parries it away. 25'- High on confidence after his goal in the last game, Odemwingie lets one fly with his left foot. The ball fliers over the crossbar. He really got hold of that. 22'- Oshaniwa seeks medical attention as Fernando Gago clattered into him. Nothing serious. 20'- Messi's free-kick get a flick on from Mikel. That was a dangerous flick on. But Enyeama collects easily. 16'- This has been a free-flowing match so far Both teams involved in end to end action. This encounter certainly has plenty of goals in it. 12'- Babatunde and Musa look the most likely to score for Nigeria. They are not overawed by the big occasion. 10'- Gonzalo Higuain hits the side netting with his effort. Argentina are threatening now. The Africans pinch the ball of Messi, and score of a deadly counter attack. Musa custs in the from left and scores past Romero. 5'- GOAL! Ahmed Firaz Musa Messi slots in the rebound from the rebound of Di Maria's shot. 3'- GOAL! MESSI 2'- Mascherano clatters into Odemwingie. Ref calls a foul. 1'- Here we go.. Team line-ups for the match: Argentina: Romero, Garay, Zabaleta, Gago, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi (c), Mascherano, Rojo, Fernandez, Aguero Nigeria: Enyeama, Yobo (c), Ambrose, Musa, Odemwingie, Emenike, Mikel, Oshaniwa, Onazi, Babatunde, Omeruo Welcome to our coverage of this Group F encounter between Nigeria and Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre. Argentina are already through to the Round of 16. Nigeria can make do with a draw to make it to the next round. With Bosnia and Iran playing in the other match, the Asian will need to register a convincing win. Sabella is likely to rest his bench strength in this match. He will not want important players to pick up injuries and bookings. Lionel Messi celebrated his birthday on 24 June and said a win against Nigeria to top the group would be the best gift for him. Having scored in both of Aregntina`s matches, Messi will be the biggest threat to Keshi`s side. After scoring in the last match, Odemwingie will merit a start today. Nigeria have done remarkably well so far in the tournaments and this team definitely has a few goals in them. John Obi Mikel will run the midfield for the Super Eagles. Vincent Enyeama has been solid in goal for Nigeria. Rest assured he will be called upon by them several times in this match. Argentina have started slowly, but they are gaining traction as the tournament progresses. They will be looking to seal a win to top the group and avoid a possible clash with Germany in the Round of 16.