You got me twice! Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria shares a joke with Lionel Messi of Argentina
18:27
Nigeria substitution
65min: Play hasn't restarted since Messi
went off and that's because Michel Babatunde has spent a good three or
four minutes down in some pain.
Ogenyi Onazi's shot earlier appeared to hit his team-mate's wrist and he is going off to be replaced by Michael Uchebo.
Ogenyi Onazi's shot earlier appeared to hit his team-mate's wrist and he is going off to be replaced by Michael Uchebo.
18:24
Argentina substitution
63min: Well there's a spanner in the works of Messi's potential hat-trick. He's going off!
It's just to rest the Barca star, who gives the captains' armband to Javier Mascherano before being loudly applauded off by the Argentine fans as Ricardo Alvarez replaces him.
It's just to rest the Barca star, who gives the captains' armband to Javier Mascherano before being loudly applauded off by the Argentine fans as Ricardo Alvarez replaces him.
60min: Messi is closing in on a hat-trick
but he's not quite there yet as a diving header from a low Rojo cross
flies wide at the near post.
Third time lucky: Marcos Rojo helps divert the ball home to give Argentina the lead for the third time
Time to celebrate: Marcos Rojo of Argentina (left) celebrates scoring his team's third goal
58min: Some relief for Nigeria, not on the
pitch - Argentina are all over them, but from the other game as Bosnia
now lead 2-0 over Iran. The Super Eagles' place in the last 16 looks
assured.
18:16
From InfostradaLive
18:14
53min: And another booking for Nigeria
as Juwon Oshaniwa is cautioned for a foul. No need to panic for the
Super Eagles, they STILL go through as it stands.
18:09
GOAL! Nigeria 2-3 ARGENTINA
50min: So can Nigeria hold on? Well... no.
Shortly after Kenneth Omeruo is booked for a foul, Marcos Rojo is found in space inside the box from a corner to divert the ball home with ease.
That strike came moments after Di Maria's latest long range strike was well tipped over by Enyeama.
Shortly after Kenneth Omeruo is booked for a foul, Marcos Rojo is found in space inside the box from a corner to divert the ball home with ease.
That strike came moments after Di Maria's latest long range strike was well tipped over by Enyeama.
Making a point or two: Ahmed Musa of Nigeria celebrates scoring his second goal of the game
18:06
GOAL! NIGERIA 2-2 Argentina
47min: Goodness me, the Argentina centre-backs are wider than the Grand Canyon but take nothing away Ahmed Musa who has struck again for Nigeria!
Emmanuel Emenike lays the ball into the path of the forward who bursts into the box before slotting past Romero.
Emmanuel Emenike lays the ball into the path of the forward who bursts into the box before slotting past Romero.
18:06
SECOND-HALF: Away we go again - no changes
18:04
From Opta Paolo
18:00
PLAYER WATCH: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Let's focus on Messi's positives though. The goals have been
good, but the forward has been heavily involved too in his usual
position playing just behind the striker on the right.
Here's his heat map from the first half.
Click here for all the maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
Here's his heat map from the first half.
Click here for all the maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
Curling home: Argentina's forward Lionel Messi shoots to score his second goal
Flying: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring his second goal
Main focus: Argentina fans celebrate as Messi scored his second goal
17:55
But was Messi at fault for Nigeria's goal?
Look who lost the ball leading to Nigeria's equaliser...
Click here for all the maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
Click here for all the maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
Argentina arguably shaded that first half. Di Maria's been a
constant threat from midfield but there is no doubt who the star of the
show has been.
Lionel Messi once again is head and shoulders above his team-mates and it's his two goals that give Argentina a 2-1 lead over Nigeria.
The good news for Nigeria is they are still joining the South American side in the last 16 with Bosnia still beating Iran in the other game.
Lionel Messi once again is head and shoulders above his team-mates and it's his two goals that give Argentina a 2-1 lead over Nigeria.
The good news for Nigeria is they are still joining the South American side in the last 16 with Bosnia still beating Iran in the other game.
17:49
From Sportsmail's Matt Lawton in Porto Alegre
'Oh I don’t know. I think Messi’s doing okay in this tournament.'
17:49
HALF-TIME: Nigeria 1-2 Argentina
Leaving it late: Lionel Messi of Argentina scores his team's second goal on the cusp of half-time
17:46
GOAL! Nigeria 1-2 ARGENTINA
45+1min: He does end with a bang! And it's a video game-esque perfection strike again! With another free-kick, Lionel Messi
goes for the near post top corner again, only this time Enyeama doesn't
even try to dive to keep it out. Messi has finally arrived at a World
Cup - and boy is it good to see!
17:46
From Sportsmail's Matt Lawton in Porto Alegre
'Aguero did look happy limping off there. A concern for Manchester City, certainly.'
44min: He started the half with a bang and
he nearly finishes with one. Like he's playing a video game, Messi curls
a powerful free-kick towards the top corner which Enyeama somehow
reaches to keep out the Nigeria net.
17:41
From former England striker Gary Lineker on Twitter
17:39
Argentina substitution
38min: But before it's taken, Sergio Aguero is seen sitting down on the turf needing treatment.
Argentina physios come on to attend to the Manchester City striker but he cannot continue and he limps off to be replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Nigeria's free-kick results to nothing.
Argentina physios come on to attend to the Manchester City striker but he cannot continue and he limps off to be replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Nigeria's free-kick results to nothing.
Under pressure: Sergio Aguero of Argentina controls the ball against Ogenyi Onazi of Nigeria
36min: Opportunity knocks for Nigeria as
they win a free-kick wide on the right of the penalty box after Javier
Mascherano brings down Emmanuel Emenike.
17:35
From Sportsmail's Matt Lawton in Porto Alegre
'With 200,000 Argentina fans said to be here in Porto Alegre, the atmosphere is terrific.'
30min: You feel a goal must be coming for Di
Maria soon - he's getting closer. A low 25-yard shot looks destined
for the bottom corner until Enyeama dives to his right at full stretch
to tip the ball behind.
17:30
From InostradaLive
27min: Close but no cigar. Angel di Maria
has his shooting boots on today by the looks of things, but his low
effort across goal drags just wide with Lionel Messi sliding in late to
narrowly miss out on making a touch to turn the ball home.
At the other end, Peter Odemwingie adopts a shoot-on-sight policy, one which on this occasion ends with him firing a rising 30-yard effort over the bar.
At the other end, Peter Odemwingie adopts a shoot-on-sight policy, one which on this occasion ends with him firing a rising 30-yard effort over the bar.
Out to block: Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama dives in on a wide shot by Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain
24min: And the news just gets better for
Nigeria. Bosnia have taken the lead against Iran, meaning as it stands
the African side would go through to the last 16 even if they lose this
match. You can follow Bosnia and Iran's clash using the link at the top
of the page.
21min: It's all gone a bit flat again for
Argentina. Nigeria looked slightly stretched at the back after
equalising but the African side have settled since and look very
comfortable.
The crowd remain quiet with the South American side not playing with any tempo to help liven them up.
The crowd remain quiet with the South American side not playing with any tempo to help liven them up.
Expectation: Argentina's supporters cheer for their team inside the Estadio Beira-Rio
18min: So as it stands both Argentina and
Nigeria will reach the last 16, and those two early goals mean the
drawing of lots cannot happen between Iran and Nigeria. Good news, only
football should decide who goes through.
15min: That was the first goal Nigeria had
conceded all tournament, and as this match progresses I would wager it's
not the last time their net will be hit this afternoon.
Nigeria haven't had an attack since Musa's stunning equaliser as they attempt to soak up Argentina pressure.
Nigeria haven't had an attack since Musa's stunning equaliser as they attempt to soak up Argentina pressure.
17:13
From Sportsmail's Matt Lawton in Porto Alegre
'Sabella has accused his players of relying too much on Messi but in their position I’d probably lean on him a bit.'
Instant reply: Ahmed Musa (left) of Nigeria scores his team's equaliser
Mobbed: Ahmed Musa (right) of Nigeria celebrates scoring his team's equaliser
17:12
A couple of interesting stats for you as the game hits a mini-lull
9min: But now Argentina are cooking. Angel
Di Maria's powerful long range effort is parried away by Vincent
Enyeama, before Gonzalo Higuain breaks through one-on-one moments later
only to fire wide at an acute angle to goal.
Three in a row: Lionel Messi of Argentina scores his team's first goal past Vincent Enyeama
On fire: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's opening goal inside three minutes
7min: Quite incredibly, it's like those two
goals never happened. The crowd have gone a bit flat and the game has
resumed with a slow paced battle in midfield.
17:07
From OptaJoe
17:04
GOAL! NIGERIA 1-1 Argentina
4min: And there was me expecting a 0-0 draw -
Nigeria hit back with a sizzler! Michel Babatunde attacks through the
centre before feeding Ahmed Musa on the left side of the box.
There the forward cuts inside before arcing a beauty across goal and into the top corner. Even the Argentina fans are applauding that one!
There the forward cuts inside before arcing a beauty across goal and into the top corner. Even the Argentina fans are applauding that one!
17:02
GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 ARGENTINA
3min: So much for the draw! Angel di Maria's low near post shot cannons off the keeper and the post, and the ball rebounds for Lionel Messi who fires past a sea of green defenders to score for the third World Cup match running.
17:01
Remember to get the most out of our live coverage by following all the action with Sportsmail's Match Zone.
It features the latest line-ups, formations, match stats and a handy player comparison tool.
In addition there are heat zones for EVERY player as well as detailed maps of all the goals as they go in. Click on the above link for more.
It features the latest line-ups, formations, match stats and a handy player comparison tool.
In addition there are heat zones for EVERY player as well as detailed maps of all the goals as they go in. Click on the above link for more.
16:54
Out come the teams in front of a huge majority of Argentina fans...
...around 80,000 in fact.
16:51
PLAYER WATCH: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Argentina 1-0 Iran doesn't sound like a classic group stage
game, but last week's pivotal clash was one of the best matches in this
section of the tournament.
Lionel Messi's late (make that very late) winner decided the match but it wasn't all about his last-minute intervention. Check out his heat map from the game - he was heavily involved in the final third for Argentina.
Click here for all the maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
Lionel Messi's late (make that very late) winner decided the match but it wasn't all about his last-minute intervention. Check out his heat map from the game - he was heavily involved in the final third for Argentina.
Click here for all the maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
16:44
Full line-ups from Porto Alegre
Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Yobo, Omeruo, Oshaniwa, Onazi, Mikel, Babatunde, Odemwingie, Emenike, Musa.
Subs: Ejide, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Oboabona, Azeez, Nwofor, Uchebo, Ameobi, Agbim.
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain, Aguero.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Biglia, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Lavezzi, Basanta, Andujar.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Subs: Ejide, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Oboabona, Azeez, Nwofor, Uchebo, Ameobi, Agbim.
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain, Aguero.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Biglia, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Lavezzi, Basanta, Andujar.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Heading for the last 16? Nigeria's national team warm up in the Estadio Beira-Rio before kick-off
16:43
...And here were some of your responses
16:41
We asked you on SportsYapper...
16:39
Back in the old days, FIFA would decide these sorts of things
with a play-off match, but times have changed and we could have a
situation where Nigeria and Iran finish on identical records.
1-0 wins for Iran and Argentina would leave the Asian aside and Nigeria with identical records across the board, requiring a drawing of lots to decide who would progress to the last 16.
And you thought penalties were cruel - click on the above link for more.
1-0 wins for Iran and Argentina would leave the Asian aside and Nigeria with identical records across the board, requiring a drawing of lots to decide who would progress to the last 16.
And you thought penalties were cruel - click on the above link for more.
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