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Tag: Argentina

  • Nigeria Out of 2018 FIFA World Cup

    • FT: Nigeria 1-2 Argentina
    • Argentina squeeze through
    • Nigeria out along with Iceland
    • Messi puts Argentina ahead (14)
    • Moses slots home pen (51)
    • Rojo with dramatic winner (86)

    Saint Petersburg Stadium marked the end of the road for super Eagles Tuesday after the Gernot Rohr tutored side went down 2-1 to very desperate Argentina.

    The Nigerian side who went into the match with advantage having earned initial three points from the defeat of Iceland, failed to capitalise on the edge over Argentina.  Two time world cup winners Argentina who were condemned to either pull a win or exit the World cup opened scoring in the 14th minute thanks to Lionel Messi who incidentally was earning his first goal in the tournament so far.

    The South Americans maintained the lone goal lead to the end of first half.  On resumption of the second half however the Eagles came out smoking to earn a penalty in the 51st minute that was effectively converted by Victor Moses.

    The Nigerians had every opportunity to maintain the draw to the end but failed to do so.  An opportunity for Eagles to shoot into the lead was bungled by Odion Ighalo who shot directly at the goalkeeper and called for penalty following handball.

    The Referee however turned down the call after the VAR confirmed a no penalty verdict.  It was however the 86th minute of the match that Argentina turned the table after Marcos Rojo converted a well taken corner kick.  Efforts by the Eagles to seek a remedy for the unfortunate scenario failed to yield any result.  The defeat marks a continuation of wins by Argentina over Nigeria at competitive level.

    Nigeria had before the world cup, beaten Argentina 4-2. 

    The group stage exit by the Super Eagles is short fall from the usual round of 16 for which Nigeria has been known.

    While Nigeria joins other African countries, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia who have since exited the world cup, Argentina will face France in the round of 16.

     

    Match Live updates below(text)

    90+4: Ball still in Nigeria’s half. Argentina are nearly there…

    90+2: It’s all in Nigeria’s half. Messi nearly squeezes through on goal but is thwarted. Two minutes left.

    90+1: Four minutes added on!

    88: Croatia go 2-1 up on Iceland, meaning Iceland are essentially put to bed! St Petersburg has gone absolutely mad. Maradona is flicking the Vs at someone below him.

    This is bizarre.

    GOAL! NIGERIA 1-2 ARGENTINA (Rojo 86)

    OH MY LORD. FOOTBALL.

    MARCOS ROJO HAS TURNED UP WITH A STRIKER’S FINISH WITH THREE MINUTES REMAINING!

    What is he doing in the penalty area? He latches onto Mercado’s right-wing cross, plum on the volley, and slams it past Uzoho from 12 yards. What a finish.

    Argentine fans are in tears here. But it’s not over yet…

    86: APPEAL! Meza goes down under pressure in the box, Argentina scream at Cekir, but it won’t even go to VAR!

    Meza not appealing, which says it all.

    86: CLOSE! What an effort from Etebo from 25 yards with the free-kick. It’s JUST wide of Armani’s left-hand post, hitting the side-netting.

    85: SAVE! Rojo goes flying in on Ighalo just outside the box, but the former Watford man just slips past him. He’s at an angle, but his effort is blocked by Armani!

    Banega then takes out Ndid on the edge. Argentina completely losing the plot here.

    NIGERIA 1-1 ARGENTINA

    84: There really isn’t much of a plan to what Argentina are doing here, but it’s pressure nonetheless.

    They win a corner via Pavon. Banega takes, but it’s SO poor again!

    Argentina, on this showing, don’t deserve to go through.

    82: Final Argentina change. Aguero is ON, replacing Tagliafico.

    MISS! Higuain again should score! Rojo’s pull-back is superb, his run is perfect, but he slams it over the bar with his left foot from 10 yards!

    80: This is fantastic theatre. Pinball in the box as it drops to Tagliafico on the left… he drives it down but Higuain can’t turn it home!

    Higuain has been so poor tonight, and doesn’t react fast enough!

    79: Iceland have equalised against Croatia. Sigurdsson with the penalty.

    If Iceland score and Argentina score, Iceland go through! Such drama here for the final 10 minutes.

    77: VAR! Big, big decision for the referee Cakir to make here! As the ball dropped down, it hit Rojo on the arm. Intentional? Who knows.

    DECISION: NO PENALTY! Probably fair, but Nigeria are fuming.

    76: MISS! What a miss by Ighalo!! Mascherano does brilliantly to clear, but Rojo gets stuck under the ball and deflects it to Igahlo in space, who sticks it just wide of the far post

    75: As it stands, Nigeria will be facing France on Saturday in Kazan, while Croatia are playing Denmark on Sunday in the last 16.

    74: Corner to Argentina. Time moving quickly now, things getting very, very desperate.

    Pavon delivers this time, but it’s poor, and cleared at the near post.

    73: SHOT! Good move from Nigeria, and after some superb work from Mikel, Ndidi can shoot 30 yards out.

    He runs onto it and smashes it goalwards, but over the bar!

    Change for Argentina; Di Maria off for Meza.

    71: Nigeria are not actually playing majorly deep at the minute, and Argentina are struggling to get into the penalty area.

    They’re sat in their half, but the back line is pretty much five yards outside their box. It’s working, but they will retreat.

    69: Corner to Argentina, won by Pavon. They take it short, but Messi’s pass is blocked my Musa. Argentina win it back. They go again…

    67: Ndidi, Etebo and Mikel have been impressive tonight. Composed, hard-working and retaining shape constantly. They’ll have a touch final 25 minutes, however.

    64: Pavon looks up for this. He’s made two decent runs at the Nigeria defence, and looks to have been found on the second, but nothing given. Messi is furious.

    Banega is then booked for a foul on Ndidi in midfield

    62: Change for Argentina. Pavon is on to replace Perez, who has been largely quiet tonight.

    61: Mascherano beaten all ends up by Musa at the byline, but his cut back is cut out and cleared well by Otamendi.

    59: Here was Mascherano’s reaction. He’s only really got himself to blame, there.

    The conceding of the corner was arguably worse than the penalty offence! Three Argentina players went for the same ball, with no communication and no Nigeria player in sight.

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    57: Argentina fans getting right behind their side here in St Petersburg, but they’ve got it all to do again! Free-kick inside the Nigeria half. Argentina rushing like it’s very late on.

    55: In Rostov, Croatia are 1-0 up against Iceland. It doesn’t change too much… Nigeria second, Argentina third, Iceland fourth.

    53: Di Maria goes down at the other end under a soft challenge, claiming a penalty, but nothing given.

    Banega is then very lucky to win the ball in the box from Musa! That could have been another penalty!

    55: In Rostov, Croatia are 1-0 up against Iceland. It doesn’t change too much… Nigeria second, Argentina third, Iceland fourth.

    53: Di Maria goes down at the other end under a soft challenge, claiming a penalty, but nothing given.

    Banega is then very lucky to win the ball in the box from Musa! That could have been another penalty!

    GOAL! NIGERIA 1-1 ARGENTINA (Moses pen, 51)

    Disaster for Argentina and Mascherano. THREE Argentina players go through the same ball from a simple cross, and Mascherano heads the ball against the back of Rojo’s head for a corner.

    From that corner, the penalty was given, and Moses makes no mistake, slotting low past Armani as he guesses wrong!

    NIGERIA CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH

    49: PENALTY TO NIGERIA! Mascherano has had a mare here. He’s given away a completely needless corner, and as it comes in, he hauls down Balogun for a penalty!

    They go to VAR, but it’s given! It’s soft, but we’ve seen them given a few times this tournament!

    49: PENALTY TO NIGERIA!

    47: Banega has been very, very good for Argentina. He wins the ball on the left touchline and starts an attack, but twice in quick succession Higuain’s touch lets him down.

    46: Messi gives his players a pep talk just before re-entering the pitch in St Petersburg. We’re under way again…

    HT: Argentina’s half, and Argentina are currently going through. Iceland have dominated Croatia in Rostov with no goal, but so much football to be played and so much time for things to change.

    That man Messi has looked brilliant in the first half; he’ll be hungry to add to his goal and boost Argentina’s goal difference. Nigeria, will need to step up a tad, with debut goalkeeper Armani having very little to do.

    Follow up live update. Match Kick off at 7;pm

    45+2: Musa is caught by Mercado, and Nigeria can pile the box in the last minute of the half…

    Taken from deep, but Rojo does well to clear. That’s half-time.

    45+1: Two minutes added on.

    43: CONTROVERSY! A deflected ball comes into the box, Iheanacho looks to go for it, but Rojo’s high boot clears it.

    It’s a really unorthodox clearance, and Iheanacho has gone down like he’s been shot. Was there contact? Not sure, but no foul given.

    40: Long throw into the box from Musa, cleared, before Etebo’s long-range half volley goes out for a throw in. Woeful.

    38: Not long left until the break and we’re in the slowest part of the game.

    Iceland so close to taking the lead against Croatia in Rostov, which would take them above Argentina on goal difference.

    36: Big cheer for Armani as he collects an easy cross. That’s essentially the first thing he’s had to do tonight.

    34: OFF THE POST! So close to a second for Messi! He goes for the far corner, and it comes off the post and clear! So unlucky.

    He’s really in the mood tonight. Replays show Uzoho got the slightest touch on it, which may have helped it onto the post.

    34: OFF THE POST! So close to a second for Messi! He goes for the far corner, and it comes off the post and clear! So unlucky.

    He’s really in the mood tonight. Replays show Uzoho got the slightest touch on it, which may have helped it onto the post.

    34: Shooting chance for Messi, 20 yards out on the left of the box… He fancies this.

    32: CONTROVERSY! Banega with a superb through ball for Di Maria, who has a lot to do to get into the box!

    Balogun comes across him, trips him, and it’s a yellow card for him! Argentina want a red, but I’m not sure he was last man. Omeruo was just about covering. He’s saved him from a sure red card.

    29: I’d like to say Argentina have settled their anxiety, but they’re still knocking it around awkwardly like a hot potato. It has bounced off Higuain a few times so far.

    27: CLOSE! Nearly a second for Argentina, and it’s created by some Messi brilliance.

    What a ball, splitting open the Nigeria defence for Higuain, who gets there just before Uzoho. He almost tries to step on the bottom of the ball to lift it over the goalkeeper, but he does well to block it!

    25: At the minute, Argentina are going through, with Nigeria 3rd and Iceland 4th. If Iceland go ahead, however, Iceland will leapfrog Argentina into second.

    23: Nigeria have reacted well to going behind, settling down and keeping the ball, but it’s whistles from the stands every time they touch the ball.

    18: Free-kick Argentina on the left, Di Maria crosses, but there’s holding in the box.

    16: That was the 100th goal scored at this World Cup, and Maradona in the stands showed his delight, punching the air and kissing his shirt.

    HE’S BACK! Arguably, he never really went away, but Messi has finally had an impact on this Argentina side in Russia.

    It’s a fine finish, but Banega’s ball over the top from 50 yards is absolutely world class.

    Messi collects it in the box, with one defender for company, but he takes one touch to the side and finds the far top corner from 12 yards at a slight angle!

    14: Mascherano goes from zero to hero. His pass back is so, so loose, allowing Iheanacho a run through at goal with just Rojo in front of him. Mascherano paces back and wins it back sliding in.

    13: Nigeria doing OK, mind. They’re getting about Argentina, winning the ball back often, and retaining a good shape.

    11: Don’t want to speak too soon, but Messi looks in the mood. He gets a run at a couple Nigeria defenders, brekas free on the left of the box and crosses, but it’s blocked.

    9: First sight of goal for Argentina. Messi feeds Banega, who gives it to Tagliafico on the left of the box, but he shoots wide on the stretch as Balogun puts him under pressure.

    7: Argentina look very nervous. Mascherano gives the ball away on the right with a miscued pass, before Otamendi does brilliantly to block Etedbo’s run and shot from 25 yards.

    Messi gets a chance to work his magic at the other end, and wins a free-kick 45 yards out.

    5: First touch for Messi isn’t great. He gives it away on the right byline. Argentina win a free-kick back. Quite scrappy early on and not a lot of rhythm, but it’s electric in the stands.

    3: Cheers for Franco Armani, the Argentina goalkeeper, for his first touch of the ball. A good confidence boost on his Argentina debut, believe it or not.

    2: Otamendi sticks a ball out to Tagliafico, but it’s over-hit and into the stand. Early signs of anxiety from the Man City man.

    Tagliafico claps the pass… I’ve never understood that.

    1: And they’re off!

     

     

     

     

     

    FOCUS ON NIGERIA

    Nigeria can qualify with a draw or win against Argentina if Iceland lose or draw against Croatia, and coach Gernot Rohr was ruthless when asked about ending Lionel Messi’s World Cup campaign, which could potentially be his last.

    “We love this great player, Messi, everybody loves him,” he said. “The question is not if it is the last World Cup for him or not, the question is for us to be qualified.

    “We are not here to watch him play. We are here to make a result, we are professionals. We are here to defend the colours of Nigeria and we know in football there is no mercy, no pity, everybody wants to win and we cannot make any gifts even if we like very much this player.”

    ARGENTINA TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Nigeria: Armani, Mercado, Rojo, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Mascherano, Banega, Perez, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain

    Argentina make five changes from the side who lost 3-0 against Croatia, including a change in-between the sticks…

    Cabellero, Salvio, Acuna, Meza and Aguero come out for Armani, Rojo, Banega, Di Maria and Higuain.

    NIGERIA TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Argentina: Uzoho, Idowu, Ndidi, Ekong, Balogun, Musa, Etebo, Mikel, Moses, Iheanacho, Omeruo

    Nigeria, meanwhile, are unchanged after their win over Iceland.

    PERMUTATIONS

    Read carefully! Croatia also play Iceland in Rostov at 7pm.

    • Croatia have qualified
    • Nigeria can qualify with a draw or win against Argentina if Iceland lose or draw against Croatia
    • If Argentina beat Nigeria in their final game and Croatia beat Iceland, Argentina go through. They will also go through if they beat Nigeria, Iceland beat Croatia, and Argentina’s goal difference betters Iceland
    • Iceland must also beat Croatia in their final game to give themselves the chance of qualification and currently have a better goal difference than Argentina

    OPTA STATS

    • Four of the eight games between Nigeria and Argentina have come at World Cup finals – Argentina winning all four contests.
    • Nigeria have faced Argentina in the group stages in each of their last three World Cups (2002, 2010, 2014).
    • Messi has had 12 shots in this World Cup so far but has yet to score – that’s eight more attempts than any other Argentina player.

  • World Cup: Musa leads Nigeria starting XI vs Argentina tonight

    Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out for their crucial World cup match against the Albiceleste of Argentina in a formation that has Ahmed Musa leading the attack.

    Sportinglife.ng can report that Manager, Gernot Rohr has stick with the same 3-5-2 formation that was used against Iceland last Friday for encounter which will kick off at 7:pm.

    Deportivo de La Coruña goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho will start the biggest game of his career against Lionel Messi and others.

    Kenneth Omeruo, who did well in the air against Iceland, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun are lined up against Messi.

    While Mikel maintains his defensive midfield role, Victor Moses will take up defensive duties and that is the case.

    Brian Idowu is preferred ahead of Tyronne Ebuehi once again. Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi will complete the five-man midfield, meaning Arsenal starlet, Alex Iwobi starts on the bench.

    Nigeria’s top scorer in World Cup history, Ahmed Musa gets the nod up-front and he will be assisted by Leicester City teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho.

    Nigeria Starting XI Vs Argentina: Uzoho; Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo; Victor Moses, Obi Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo, Idowu; Iheanacho, Musa.

  • S/Eagles would defeat Argentina – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles would defeat their Argentine counterpart to move into the second round of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Osinbajo disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday at the Alakia Airport in Ibadan on his arrival for the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic.

    Read Also:Football fan slips into coma while celebrating Eagle’s victory

    “By the grace of God, victory will be ours. I hope the boys will give their very best. I am sure and confident that they are well prepared for the important encounter.

    “This is an important encounter to us and I trust it is going to be a great victory for us’’, he said.

    It has been reported that the Eagles would take on Argentina in their last group D match at the mundial stadium and they need at least a draw to qualify for the second round of the tournament.

    NAN

  • I’ll score against Argentina – Musa

    Ahmed Musa is basking in confidence to score again for Nigeria ahead of tonight’s crunch clash against Argentina.

    Musa, 25, scored the two goals that gave Nigeria victory over Iceland in the Group D fixture of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The Leicester City forward reckoned that he has always scored against the Argentina national team and Lionel Messi, stating that he has a target to continue his scoring streak against the La Albiceleste on Tuesday.

    He said, ‘Whenever I play against Argentina, or whenever Messi is playing against me, I score.

    ‘Four years ago I scored two goals. When I transferred to Leicester City and we played against Barcelona I scored another two goals, so I think in the next game anything can happen.

    ‘Possibly, I’m going to score another two goals.’

    The Eagles forward bagged a brace against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup, although Nigeria lost the match 3-2, with Messi also scoring two.

    Then in 2016, Musa scored two more when he lined up against Messi, this time in a pre-season friendly between Leicester City and Barcelona.

    Musa was on the losing side, as Barcelona beat the Foxes 4-2.

    The game will get underway at 7pm on Tuesday night with Iceland and Croatia playing at the same time.

    The team to join Croatia in the knockout phase will either France, or Denmark or Australia in the round of 16.

  • Advantage Super Eagles

    Nigeria’s victory over Argentina at the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia may be decided on a divine note.

    Former Green Eagles skipper, Segun Odegbami, may have been sensing the issues at stake when Kunle Solaja quoted him as saying, “Pray for them please so that the elements conspire with us and give us sweet victory.”

    However, psychology may win the match over artistry. Whichever way, only the toughest will survive.

    The pressure is on former world champions Argentina whose performance in this World Cup are woeful having only one point and a three goal deficit against a Nigeria who probably need just a draw after a three point advantage but a zero goals difference.

    If Croatia does not make “deal” with Iceland playing their first eleven as Mikel alleged, Nigeria may have a stroll in the park.

    Reports have said the Argentine camp have been in disarray and players may choose their team cutting off the coach.

    Reports say the players want their coach sacked after the Croatia match. Aguero may be benched for clashing with the coach after the embarrassing  defeat to Croatia.

    The team former star, Diego Maradona, had never been comfortable with Nigeria since Super Eagles ended his blissful career in 1994.

    Maradona tested positive to banned drugs and he was slammed with a two- year FIFA ban.

    Sanni Toro, the NFA scribe, then had wanted the match won through boardroom decision but FIFA gave a “capital No” verdict.

    Nigeria lost by the odd goal in four previous meetings between the two countries at the World Cup but defeated the Albiceleste  4-2 in a pre-World Cup friendly played in Krasnodar , Russia, in November last year.

    Messi had repeatedly expressed fears  about the threat posed by the physical, fast and youthful Nigerian side.

    Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, had admitted earlier in the tournament that Nigeria’s Achilles heel is set pieces and lack of concentration in closing moments. But it is more than that.

    The passes are not accurate and shot at goal is poor. Nigeria may benefit from bounce off from the goalkeeper if they are alert. There should be no deep defending which can dash them VAR sponsored penalties.

     

     

  • World Cup: Super Eagles on the brink of round of 16?

    Ahead of the crucial Group D final round of matches at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, the Super Eagles face an uphill task, against a hell-bent La Albiceleste of Argentina that hope to reach the round of 16.

    While the former two-time World Champions would want to use the pivotal match to revive their faltering campaign in Russia, the Super Eagles also sees the match as a must-win; to prolong Nigeria’s stay in Russia.

    This is where we expect superior team tactics, maximum fitness level of players and a high sense of commitment on the part of the Super Eagles, in the must win match against Nigeria’s perennial rival at the World Cup.

    For the Super Eagles to land safely in the knockout stages, certain permutations must be taken into consideration to make Nigeria understand the enormity of the task at hand.

    Croatia lead with six points in Group D, Nigeria are second with three points, Iceland are third with one point and Argentina are at the bottom with one point.

    Croatia have qualified and will be group winners with a point against Iceland.

    Nigeria will qualify with a win over Argentina. A point will be enough if Iceland do not beat Croatia.

    If Argentina and Nigeria draw, Iceland will make the last 16 if they beat Croatia by a two-goal margin, and also score at least one more than Nigeria.

    Argentina will qualify with victory over Nigeria coupled with Iceland failing to defeat Croatia.

    If Iceland beat Croatia, then Jorge Sampaoli’s side can still qualify if they beat Nigeria by two more goals than Iceland win their game.

    If Argentina and Iceland win and finish with identical records their fate will be decided by their disciplinary records and then the drawing of lots. Argentina have picked up three yellow cards and Iceland have none.

    Ahmed Musa of Super Eagles celebrating after scoring a goal against Iceland.

    It is against this seemingly impossible backdrop, that we expect Coach Gernot Rohr to field a durable squad that would tackle the Lionel Messi-Captained La Albiceleste toe-to-toe for the maximum three points at stake.

    We expect to see the same line-up Nigeria used against the Strakkamir Okkar of Iceland to play against Argentina, and the three man defence line of Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun and Troost Ekong should continue from where they stopped against Iceland.

    While the midfield of Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, and the wingbacks combination of Brian Idowu/Tyronne Ebuehi and Victor Moses; form a compact unit that should be able to contain the expected onslaught from Messi, Paulo Dyabala, Angel de Maria…

     

    Soccer Football – World Cup – Group D – Argentina vs Iceland – Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia – June 16, 2018 Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action REUTERS/Carl Recine

    According to Godwin Dudu-Orumen, renowned Executive Producer of “The Best of Football’’ an award winning TV programme; the Super Eagles must be on their toes all through the match and guard against blunders.

    “Super Eagles must play in the front. They have to avoid giving away free kicks in our half and vital areas that Argentina could use to hurt us.

    “Eagles must create chances and take them, all half chances must be converted.

    “They must be strong in going forward. No goal scoring opportunity should go unutilised.

    Dudu-Orumen told NAN that Moses should be made to play the way he played against Iceland from the wing back, and urged Rohr to impress on whoever he chooses to be the arrowhead of the attack to be clinical.

    “Must be more daring, more positive and must cut into the 18 yard box as did Ahmed Musa against Iceland and to constantly put the Argentine defence under pressure.

    “Whoever is selected for the striking role must be mobile and constantly on the move to shake off Nicola Otamendi who can be rough if not dirty, Javier Mascherano is another very dirty player.

    “The Eagles must have less physical contact with Gonzalo Higuain who are very dangerous but can be checked with alert marking,’’ he said.

    According to the entrepreneur all the players of the Super Eagles must play for the team and by so doing victory will likely come Nigeria’s way.

    In the same vein, Adefeko Mohammed, Vice-President Corporate and Government Relations, Olam Nigeria, who is also a keen football enthusiast, told NAN on telephone that the showdown against Argentina was a winnable match.

    “I think we should stick to our formation from the last match and the players must be tactically disciplined in their approach to the match.

    “We should play to our strength and impose ourselves on La Albiceleste in order to disorganise their game plan.

    “If Mikel is not fit for the match, he should be replaced by John Ogu at the back; if Mikel is playing then he should play from the holding midfield role.

    “Where we cannot win the match then we should strive to avoid defeat,’’he said.

    The onus is now on the Super Eagles to take the bull by the horn through a creditable display that would deny the Argentine team a berth in the last 16; which they regard as their birthright.

    Super Eagles met Argentina for the first time in its maiden appearance at the USA `94 World Cup, where the Diego Maradona captained the squad that defeated Nigeria 2-1.

    Nigeria has since that encounter met Argentina at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup in which Nigeria lost 1-0, lost to Argentina again at the South Africa 2010 1-0 and lost 3-2 to Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    The only time Nigeria and Argentina avoided each other was at the France `98 World Cup.

  • ‘Wild’ Argentina fans cautioned ahead Eagles showpiece

    THE FIFA Disciplinary Committee has cautioned Argentina for its fans misconduct at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia. 

    The football governing body passed down the caution to the Argentines two days to their crucial match with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    Fifa said the caution became necessary owing to incidents of crowd disturbance against Croatia on June 21 at Nizhny Novgorod.

    Croatia were also sanctioned by FIFA for the same offence.

    Already Polish Football Association has been fined 10,000 Swiss Franc for unruly conduct by its fans.

    FIFA has reminded teams of its disciplinary code and recalled the background information it gave earlier in March on disciplinary matters at the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    Meanwhile, according to the information which has now been circulated to all the team heads of delegation, single yellow cards received by players would be cancelled after the quarter-finals.

    It also said a player would automatically be suspended from his team following matches if he receives two cautions during two different matches

    “If a player is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card, he will automatically be suspended from his team’s following match. In addition, further sanctions, such as additional suspensions and fines, et cetera, may be imposed,’’ a statement by FIFA said.

  • Turk referee picked to handle Nigeria-Argentina match

    Cuneyt Cakir of Turkey has been picked to handle the Super Eagles’ final Group D fixture against Argentina on Tuesday at St Petersburg, with two other Turks alongside.

    The 41-year-old who was in charge of proceedings when Juventus faced FC Barcelona in the 2014/2014 UEFA Champions League final will be assisted by compatriots Bahattin Duran and Tarik Ongun.

    Cakir is said to have a high-profile list of players he sent off during his career, including Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Nani, and had earlier officiated the Iran vs Morocco game.

    The Turk has as his Fourth Official Bjorn Kuipers of Netherlands and Sander van Roekel, also of Netherlands, as the Reserve Assistant Referee.

    His Turk assistants had worked with him during the FC Barcelona vs Juventus game, as well as the Morocco vs Iran game.

    The Dutch assistants had handled the Brazil vs Costa Rica game of Friday in St Petersburg, with three other officials.(NAN)

  • Mascherano denies rift between players and coach Sampaoli

    Argentina midfielder, Javier Mascherano, denied on Sunday that a rift had opened between the players and coach Jorge Sampaoli following their 0-3 World Cup defeat by Croatia.

    He said that the relationship between the two sides had remained “totally normal”.

    The loss to Croatia, Argentina’s heaviest in a World Cup group stage match since 1958, put the 2014 runners-up in serious danger of a first round exit before Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Iceland gave them a lifeline.

    However, Argentina must still beat Nigeria in their final Group D game on Tuesday to stand a chance of reaching the last 16 and keep alive, five-times world player-of-the-year, Lionel Messi’s, dream of winning a World Cup.

    “The relationship with the coach is totally normal,” said Mascherano, who at 34, is one of the most experienced and influential players in the squad.

    “Obviously, if we feel uncomfortable about anything, we let him know, and that goes for the players on the bench as well as the ones on the field,” he said at the team’s base outside Moscow.

    Mascherano said he had played under eight national team coaches in his Argentina career and none of them had complained afterwards that the players had picked the team.

    “There are many myths about the team and about this generation,” he said.

    “We need to be very optimistic. Believe it or not, we are World Cup runners-up and at some point we have to show that.

    “If we don’t say what we think, we’re going to get to the game with a lot of insecurities.

    “The aim is for everyone to give their knowledge and experience so that the team can rise again.

    ”I still believe a lot in these players that have taken us to three finals,” he added, referring to one World Cup and two Copa America finals.

    “I’m not going to stop believing in them.”

    Mascherano added that “we are aware of all the noise there is and, unfortunately, that does not help anyone.”

    Midfielder Lucas Biglia joined Mascherano’s complaints about the criticism.

    “I thought that after Ecuador, everyone would look ahead,” he said, referring to the 3-1 win in October where Argentina clinched their place at the World Cup after a tumultuous qualifying campaign.

    “But, at the slightest difficulty, they start hitting us again when we are on the floor. We will try to put those things aside and focus on the opportunity that we have.”

  • Argentina 0-3 Croatia – shambolic Argentina put to sword

    • Argentina 0-3 Croatia (7pm)
    • Rebic scores after Caballero howler
    • Modric stunner makes it 2-0 (81)
    • Rakitic in injury-time (90+1)
    • Messi, Aguero in attack
    • Di Maria, Rojo, Biglia left out
    • Brozovic in for Kramaric
    • Croatia through if they win
    • Group D clash

     

    FT: Croatia are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after a stunning 3-0 victory in Nizhny Novgorod which leaves Argentina in serious danger of exiting at the group stage.

    Ante Rebic made the most of a Willy Caballero howler to open the scoring in the 53rd minute before Luka Modric curled in a sensational second (81) and Ivan Rakitic stroked in an injury-time third to secure his side’s passage to the knock-out stages.

    But after their opening 1-1 draw with Iceland, Argentina go into their final Group D game with Nigeria with only one point and their hopes of staying in Russia beyond the group stage are hanging by a thread.

     

    Preview

    Argentina is looking to rebound from a disappointing start to its World Cup after an opening-game draw with Iceland. Croatia was far from impressive in a 2-0 win over Nigeria, but it can take firm control of Group D with a win today.

    A Draw Result Favours Nigeria

    The permutation has started as the Super Eagles of Nigeria stumbled against Croatia in a disappointing start at the mundial.

    What will be the likely result from Argentina versus Croatia match that will put Nigeria in a better position ahead of their crucial match against Iceland on Friday?

    The best result that will keep Nigeria in contention is a draw between the two countries while hoping the three-time African champion will emerge victorious against their Iceland counterpart tomorrow.

    A draw would also suffice in this circumstance – meaning La Albiceleste would have two points after two games.

    Argentina, at the moment, are on a bad run of form – having not won any match in their last three at the World Cup finals. Their last victory was against Belgium at the quarterfinal stage in the 2014 edition.

    According to FIFA.com, Jorge Sampaoli is going to make changes to the starting 11, in what has been described as a must-win match.

    “Desperate for the win that will keep his side’s fate in their own hands, Sampaoli is set to ring the changes, both in terms of tactics and personnel,” reports Diego Zandrino.

    “His aim is to fashion a starting line-up that remains competitive but which can also play better football and penetrate the opposition defence down the flanks.

    “Speed of response and the ability to keep their shape will also be crucial for the Argentinians at the back, as will the need to sharpen their finishing.”

    For the Croats, a win or a draw would be good, as they will stay top of the group until Iceland play Nigeria on Friday.