After their lackluster performance at the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup, Lionel Messi and his team-mates will face Nigeria desperately hoping to salvage Argentina’s torrid Russia 2018 campaign.
After two rounds of action in Group D, the 2014 runners-up are staring elimination in the face, having been held to a surprise 1-1 draw by debutants Iceland before capitulating to a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Croatia.
So much of the pre-tournament talk was whether – in what could be his final World Cup – Messi would finally experience international glory, as great rival Cristiano Ronaldo did with Portugal at Euro 2016.
But a torrid start means Messi’s men have it all to do to simply make it to the first knockout stage – La Albiceleste need to defeat Nigeria in St Petersburg and hope Iceland do not manage likewise against already qualified Croatia.
The fall-out from Thursday’s damaging loss has been colossal, with legendary 1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona wading into the mess to criticise head coach Jorge Sampaoli and his methods.
On top of that, reports have surfaced that the Argentina camp staged a mutiny against Sampaoli – talk that was dismissed by the nation’s FA president Claudio Tapia as little more than media hype.
As for Nigeria, a draw would be enough as long as Iceland fail to beat Croatia but William Troost-Ekong knows that writing off Messi – who turned 31 on Sunday – could prove a fatal error.
Players to watch:
Nigeria – Ahmed Musa
He has talked a good game, enjoying comparisons made between himself and Messi and suggesting he could be on track to repeat his brace against Iceland. Now it is time for Musa to back that up.
Argentina – Lionel Messi
Who else? He was culpable in the opener against Iceland in missing a penalty and watched on bemused as his goalkeeper and defenders made a royal mess of things against Croatia. Could this be his final outing on the grandest stage?
Possible Line-up
Nigeria: Francis Uzoho; Abdullahi Shehu, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Tyronne Ebuehi; Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, Oghenekaro Etebo; Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa.
Argentina: Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Salvio, Mascherano, Meza, Acuna; Messi, Aguero, Dimarria.
25 June 1994: Nigeria 1 Argentina 2 – Boston, USA (FIFA World Cup)
10 Jan 1995: Argentina 0 Nigeria 0 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (FIFA Confederations Cup)
3 Aug 1996: Nigeria 3 Argentina 2 – Georgia, USA (Olympics Final)
2 June 2002: Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 – Ibaraki, Japan (FIFA World Cup)
2 July 2005: Nigeria 1 Argentina 2 – Utrecht, Netherlands (FIFA U20 World Cup Final)
23 Aug 2008: Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 – Beijing, China (Olympics Final)
12 June 2010: Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 – Jo’burg, South Africa (FIFA World Cup)
1 June 2011: Nigeria 4 Argentina 1 – Abuja, Nigeria (Friendly)
6 Sept 2011: Argentina 3 Nigeria 1 – Dhaka, Bangladesh (Friendly)
25 June 2014: Nigeria 2 Argentina 3 – Porto Alegre, Brazil (FIFA World Cup)
14 Nov 2017: Argentina 2 Nigeria 4 – Krasnodar, Russia (Friendly).
…I’m ready for ‘game of our live – Ebuehi
Nigeria defender Tyronne Ebuehi is happy to have featured in his first World Cup game for the country and has declared that the Super Eagles are ready to conquer Argentina in their last group game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Completesportsnigeria. com reports.
Ebuehi came in as a second half substitute for Bryan Idowu in Nigeria’s 2-0 win against Iceland at the Volgograd Arena on Friday.
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It was also his first competitive appearance for the Super Eagles with his previous seven outings coming in friendly games.
The attention of the team has now shifted towards Tuesday’s crucial clash against two-time world champions Argentina.
A win against La Albiceleste will send the Super Eagles into the second round while a draw could be enough depending on the outcome of the game between Croatia and Iceland.
And the Benfica of Portugal new boy, who made his debut in Super Eagles 3-0 friendly win against Togo in June 2017, says they will give their all in the encounter.
”I’m so happy to have made my World Cup debut. We have put the last result past us and we are working hard for the next game. It’s the game of our lives,” reads a tweet on the Super Eagles official Twitter handle.
…Turkish ref cakir to officiate Nigeria, Argentina clash
Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir has been appointed by the FIFA to officiate the crucial Group D Russia 2018 World Cup clash between the Super Eagles and Argentina in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.
Cakir’s appointment was confirmed on the verified Twitter handle of FIFA Media on Sunday following the announcement of referee designations for upcoming games.
The 41-year-old Cakir will be assisted by his compatriots Bahattin Duran (Assistant Referee one) and Tarik Ongun (Assistant Referee Two).
Netherlands’ Bjorn Kuipers will be the fourth official while Sander Van Roekel also from Netherlands will serve as Reserve Assistant.
The game between Nigeria and Argentina will be the second game Cakir will take charge of at this year’s FIFA World Cup after officiating the game between Morocco and Iran.
He was one of the centre referees at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil where he officiated the games involving hosts Brazil vs Mexico (group game), Algeria vs Russia (group game) and Netherlands vs Argentina (semi-final).
Cakir is infamous for among European club football fans for controversially sending off Manchester United’s Nani in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash at Old Trafford in 2013.
