- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Argentina has under-performed significantly in Brazil and will need to be on song if they hope to defeat Nigeria and secure top spot in group F. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:00am (AEST).
With a forward line containing Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi, Argentina were expected to score plenty of goals during the group stages.
Instead, Argentina have had to rely on Messi’s magic to secure two very unconvincing wins over Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran.
Argentina only have three goals thus far next to their name, one of which was an own goal. If it wasn’t for Messi’s moments of brilliance with the football, Argentina would probably still be without a goal at the World Cup.
Now, they face a Nigeria side that is well in the running to securing a round of sixteen birth following a vital win over Bosnia. Nigeria certainly have the players to test Argentina on the break and could cause the upset if Argentina’s attackers fail to fire yet again.
Nigeria stars Peter Odemwingie and John Obi Mikel certainly possess the class to ask Argentina questions. Victor Moses also has the potential to cause havoc if he manages to start against the Albicelestes.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Nigeria approach today’s game. They may very well sit back given that they only need a draw to qualify for the round of sixteen.
Argentina will top the group with a draw as well so a dull affair could be in the offering as both teams look to keep themselves fresh ahead of the knockout stages.
With Aguero, Di Maria and Higuain struggling for form however, coach Alejandro Sabella will demand that the preceding trio begin to fire for a team that has relied heavily on Messi’s brilliance to secure passage to the knockout rounds.
Overall, matches between these two nations have often been well contested at World Cup level so expect another tight game where a Messi goal could once again seal another win for Argentina.
Argentina to win 2-1