REVIEW: Messi inspires, lifts Argentina yet again
If the 2014 World Cup was missing one thing, it was a rubber stamp from Lionel Messi. Neymar had already thrown down the gauntlet between himself, Messi and Ronaldo, and with Ronaldo not fit and not impressing, Messi responded in kind. Yes his two goals in the first two matches were typical Messi, but his performances on the whole lacked that little bit of extra that we are all so used to seeing when he puts on a Barcelona shit. Today, we saw Messi back at his best – everyone beware.
Two goals from the supposed heir apparent to Diego Maradona lifted his Argentina side up against a determined and much improved Nigeria side. Despite losing, Nigeria have still gone through to the knockout stage with a helpful result from Bosnia in a 3-1 win over Iran. It will be their first foray into the next round since 1994, and thus far are the only African side to progress after the Ivory Coast choked in the last few seconds against Greece last night.
Ezequiel Garay (left) and Federico Fernandez (right) celebrate – sentiments that are echoed by an entire nation.
With Messi finally finding form, you truly can never count out Argentina, and with the final trophy to add to his impressive gold collection coming closer and closer as each day passes, this could finally be the moment that Messi truly wins the hearts and minds of a nation. Here is our review.
"Starting XI’sArgentina (4-3-3): Romero; Rojo, Fernandez, Garay, Zabaleta; Di Maria, Mascherano, Gago; Aguero, Higuain, MessiNigeria (4-2-3-1): Enyeama; Oshaniwa, Yobo, Omeruo, Ambrose; Onazi, Mikel; Musa, Babatunde, Odemwingie; Emenike"
First Half
It could not have been a worse start dreamed up by Nigeria. In the third minute, a fantastic ball from Javier Mascherano found Angel Di Maria through on goal and his effort was saved off the post but bounced kindly to Messi who roofed it into the top of the net. But Nigeria would respond in kind immediately at the other end, when Ahmed Musa curled a fantastic effort past Romero to draw them level less than a minute after going behind – it was game on in all respects.
Ahmed Musa (7) celebrates one of his two well taken goals in an impressive attacking display from him.
The match settled down after the early goal blitz, but Nigeria’s high-line needed to be a cause for concern as Argentina continuously looked to play Higuain into the space behind on numerous occasions. Argentina had settled into possession, while Nigeria tried to keep shape and look to break through Emeniki as expected. Since their immediate equalizer, Nigeria had barely ventured into the Argentinian half. They were well and truly pinned back and hoping to rely on their traditional tactical make up to see out the result.
It was only a matter of time before Argentina found their second, and there was only one person it would come from – Lionel Messi. Back to his usual best with the ball at his feet, he won two fouls in the final third of the pitch in the last three minutes of the first-half. The first free-kick produced a fantastic save from Vincent Enyeama, but the second was the result so many expected. Messi’s beautiful curled effort beat the Nigerian keeper at the near post and gave Argentina the lead for the second time in the match. Messi had his brace and put himself on four goals for the tournament, tied with Neymar for the goalscoring lead.
Second Half
If the first half started poorly and ended much the same for Nigeria, the second half began exactly how they wanted. Two minutes after the break, a one-two between Musa and Emmanuel Emenike put Musa through on goal and he calmly slotted past Romero. But just as they had done to Argentina in the first half it was done to them immediately after, when poor defending of on an Argentine corner saw Marcos Rojo give Argentina the lead for the third time in the match. It was his first international goal, but the woeful nature of Nigeria’s defense and clear mental lapse in defending the set-piece must be highlighted.
Marcos Rojo (center) celebrates his first international goal – it would end up being the winner.
Messi would not be able to complete his hat-trick on the day, he was removed on 62minutes for Ricardo Alvarez but still given a standing ovation and a well deserved rest before the knockout stages begin. Argentina continued to knock on the door, while Nigeria still looked to counter and to their credit fashioned a few quality chances as well.
The remainder of the second-half would be a relatively dull affair, with news filtering through that Iran was losing (and would eventually officially lose at full-time to Bosnia), neither side needed to give one hundred percent. Full-time saw Argentina top the group, and Nigeria advance to the knockout stage for the first time since 1994.
Man of the Match
"Player ratings for ArgentinaRomero (7.0) – He was left with no chance on either goal, but part from that, he was as solid as ever.Rojo (7.5) – Got himself on the scoresheet for his first international goal and played quite well throughout. When Nigeria threatened, it was not on his flank.Fernandez (6.5) – He didn’t play poor, but he was caught out a few times and beaten for pace and trickery. Young and learning, but has a bright future ahead of him.Garay (6.5) – He was decent the same as Fernandez. His performance wasn’t commanding, but he wasn’t poor either.Zabaleta (6.0) – He made a brilliant tackle on Musa to deny him completing his hat-trick, but he had a sub-par performance by his standard.Mascherano (7.0) – He played well, didn’t commit any foolish fouls and played a delicious ball to Di Maria who should have scored. He was solid today.Gago (7.0) – Along with Mascherano, he did a solid job controlling the midfield throughout the match.Di Maria (7.5) – He played well as usual, and was one of the most creative in the side. Didn’t get himself a goal but that is sure to come for him.Aguero (5.0) – In the thirty-odd minutes he did see before being removed due to injury, he did next to nothing. Has been quite poor all tournament in truth.Higuain (5.5) – Hasn’t been worthwhile in the tournament so far, and it will be interesting to see if he remains first choice going forward.Messi (8.5) – He scored two well taken goals, one of which was a brilliantly struck free-kick. He was back to his usual best right from the beginning this time around.Lavezzi (6.5) – Got himself an assist on Rojo’s goal but was not the same spark off the bench that you see when he plays for PSG. Was not bad, but could be better.Alvarez (6.0) – Did little off the bench, simple as that.Biglia (6.0) – Came on in the end to stabilize the midfield late in the match to keep all three points secure.Player ratings for NigeriaEnyeama (6.0) – Should really have done better on Messi’s second and Rojo’s goal as well. He was not nearly as good as he is capable.Oshaniwa (6.5) – He wasn’t terrible, but against teams far more ruthless and efficient than Argentina, he could well be found out in telling fashion.Yobo (7.0) – He did a very good job shutting don Higuain all match, and cannot be held at fault for Messi’s second or Rojo’s strike.Omeruo (6.0) – Certainly lost his mental edge when in the box on a number of occasions.Ambrose (6.0) – Had a tough time with Di Maria, but that is expected from almost anyone these days. He wasn’t poor, but needed to be better.Onazi (7.0) – He was rather effective in the midfield yet again, and for me, a far better player over all than Mikel.Mikel (6.0) – The only reason he continues to feature, really, is because there is no one better. Yet again, he’s been sub-par at best.Musa (8.0) – He was brilliant in the counter attack and bagged himself a brace. He is the key to any Nigerian success in the knockout stage.Babatunde (6.0) – Also failed to make a big impression going forward on the day – par for the course for Nigeria in the attack.Odemwingie (6.0) – Was far more quiet than the match against Bosnia. Nigeria will be hoping he can rediscover himself for the knockout stage.Emenike (6.0) – Much like Odemwingie, he was off the boil comparatively to the previous match. Truly, he never really threatened.Uchebo (6.0) – Had one or two instances where he threatened and he was lively off the bench but really lacked a finished product.Nwofor (5.0) – Didn’t do enough after coming on, not necessarily his fault though."