BEN MEMULETIWON
Nigeria is out of the Russia 2018 World Cup after losing 1-2 to Argentina in Group D’s final match at St Petersburg. Lionel Messi’s Argentina will be in the World Cup’s knockout rounds and will face France on Saturday.
The Super Eagles needed just five minutes to survive the Argies’ scare but it was defender Marcos Rojo who was the unlikeliest of heroes. Marcos Rojo was Argentina’s unlikely hero as his stunning late winner secured a 2-1 defeat of Nigeria that keeps Lionel Messi’s side in the World Cup.
The Super Eagles were heading through to the last 16 at Argentina’s expense with four minutes to go but Rojo’s sensational low volley saved Jorge Sampaoli’s men and set up a showdown with France in the next round.
Messi gave Argentina the lead. The Barcelona superstar scoring a stunner to bring up the 100th goal of Russia 2018. But when Javier Mascherano dragged down Leon Balogun in the box shortly after the restart, Victor Moses stepped up to roll Nigeria level and within touching distance of progressing.
Sampaoli sent on attackers Cristian Pavon, Maximiliano Meza and Sergio Aguero, but it was defender Rojo who came up with a quite brilliant winner.
The right-wing cross from another defender, Gabriel Mercado, was perfectly placed for Rojo to arrive late and slam home an improbable, unstoppable finish that extends Argentina’s stay at the World Cup and sent Nigeria’s contingent back to Abuja in tears and anguish.
