Argentina began their 2010 World Cup with a win over a feisty, but ultimately lacking, Nigeria side.
An early goal by left back Gabriel Heinze proved to be the difference as Lionel Messi, out to silence his critics, was outperformed by Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama, who was undoubtedly the figure of the match after coming up huge a number of times for the Super Eagles.
Argentina came out of the gates with a blistering pace. Within the first 60 seconds, La Albiceleste had stepped inside the 18-yard box and, in the 4th minute, Messi made a inspiring run on the left side and crossed the ball to Gonzalo Higuaín, who poked it wide.
The South Americans would break through just three minutes later. From the corner spot, Juan Sebastián Verón sent a cross to a streaking Gabriel Heinze, who appeared alone near the penalty spot to head a waist-high ball to the top left corner.
Not troubled at all by Nigeria, La Albiceleste continued to charge ahead. In the 17th minute, Messi, who’s shot was turned aside for a corner that led to Argentina’s tally, unleashed a left-footed curler only to be denied by Nigeria’s Enyeama.
The Super Eagles, who sat back in their zone, left the flanks wide open, and it was through the right side where Higuaín appeared alone against Enyeama in the clearest option for goal in the first half. Enyeama quickly jumped on Higuaín, though, and the Argentine crashed the ball right into him.
A largely quiet Nigeria finally stirred up some trouble in the 28th minute, when forward Chinedu Obasi brought down a cross on the left side of the box, but his shot/cross went wide right with no other Super Eagle there to guide it home.
Argentina dialed down the frenetic pace they had started with and concentrated on keeping possession of the ball and trying to break a locked-down Nigeria.
Eight minutes before halftime, Messi again tried to show some of the magic Barcelona fans have grown accustomed to. From right side of box, La Pulga unfurled a left-footed curler to top left corner, but Enyeama would have none of that and, with a spectacular dive, denied what many thought would be Messi’s first goal of the tournament.
In the second half, Argentina came out playing the same sort of touch-ball they ended the first half with, passing the ball around and trying to create an opening in what basically turned into an eight-man Nigeria defense for the first 10 minutes.
Once Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie came on to take advantage of Argentina’s slower pace, the Super Eagles began pouring forward. In their effort to equalize, however, Nigeria left themselves primed for an Argentina four-vs.-two counterattack that ended with a barely-wide shot from Messi.
Just a minute later, in the 66th minute, Higuaín again had a clear chance to put La Albiceleste up by two, and again Enyeama showed how important of a factor he is for Nigeria as he denied the Argentine for a second time on Saturday night.
Nigeria’s closest opportunity of the night came in the 71st minute. Refusing to go quietly, Taye Taiwo whipped a low screamer just wide of Sergio Romero’s left post. Unfortunately for the Nigerian left back, he came down with a knee injury after the shot and had to leave the game.
Ten minutes from the end, Messi and Ángel di María strung together a couple of passes that ended with Messi going head-to-head with Enyeama. While Argentina’s No. 10 thought it was time for him to score, Enyeama thought otherwise and came out to snuff Messi’s attempt.
The win marks the second time Argentina opens their World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria.
Argentina move into second, behind first place South Korea, because of goal differential. Both teams face each other for group supremacy on Thursday, June 17.
Nigeria are tied with Greece, both with zero points after today’s losses. The Super Eagles face the Pirate Ship on Thursday, June 17 as well.
Scoring Summary:
ARG – Heinze, 7'
Lineups:
Argentina: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Heinze, Wálter Samuel, Martín Demichelis, Jonás Gutiérrez; Javier Mascherano, Ángel di María (Nicolás Burdisso, 85’), Juan Sebastián Verón (Maxi Rodríguez, 73’), Lionel Messi;, Gonzalo Higuaín (Diego Milito, 79’), Cárlos Tévez
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama; Taye Taiwo (Kalu Uche, 75’), Danny Shittu, Joseoph Yobo, Chidi Odiah; Dickson Etuhu, Lukman Haruna, Sani Kaita,; Chinedu Obasi (Peter Odemwingie, 60’), Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Obinna (Obafemi Martins, 53’)
