Just as everyone wrote off Argentina after the devastating loss to Croatia, a twist of faith has Jorge Sampaoli’s men back in contention. All they need to do now is defeat Nigeria by as many goals as possible and they’ll qualify for the knockout round. How did this scenario come to life? Well, Super Eagle Ahmed Musa flew over Iceland and broke their ice not once, but twice. Meanwhile, Gylfi Sigurdsson missed a penalty that could’ve given his team a chance to come back and earn a draw.
Kick off
Tuesday (June 26), 20:00, Saint Petersburg Stadium
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (TUR)
It’s a sign of hope for this Argentina 2018 World Cup squad that has disappointed on every possible level. The coach is in panic mode all the time. His anxiety and nervousness on the sidelines is only making matters worse. Confidence is lacking, organization is missing, the entire plan is faltering. Players like Maximiliano Meza, Marcos Acuna, Enzo Perez and Eduardo Salvio are trying, but they’re not at the level needed to help Messi. Some of the decisions are mind-boggling as well. Argentina was better when Ever Banega came onto the pitch in game one versus Iceland, yet he was left out of the lineup against Croatia. Higuain’s presence also opens up space, yet he’s also not a starter. Sergio Aguero is lonely up front and becomes easy to guard. Federico Fazio is another player who had a great season as Roma’s center back, but he’s sitting on the bench as well.
Even Paulo Dybala’s introduction in the closing minutes in the loss to Croatia didn’t work. How could it, when both he and Messi stubbornly stuck to the same side upon his introduction? That’s where the coach needs to step up, take control and tell the players what to do and where to go. Of course they can’t play together if they’re going to be holding the same position. Either Dybala should move to the left side and operate more as a passing winger than an attacking midfielder, or Messi should move in a more central position as a roaming shadow striker. Those are the only ways their partnership could potentially work.
As for Nigeria, coach Gernot Rohr did make the necessary changes. Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho started in place of Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo in the game against Iceland. Their speed and quickness was too much for the tall, heavy Icelanders to handle. Musa was especially inspired, evidenced by the two goals which brought his team the victory and changed the whole complexity of Group D.
Argentina and Nigeria can’t avoid each other in World Cups. This will be their fifth meeting already. The South Americans have won all four previous encounters, all of them by a one goal margin. The 4-2 friendly match victory back in November 2017 will definitely boost Nigeria’s self-belief heading into Tuesday’s clash, as they seek revenge that would consequently destroy Messi’s World Cup dreams.
Possible Group D scenarios:
Nigeria wins, Nigeria progresses
Nigeria draws, Nigeria likely progresses on goal difference even if Iceland wins
Argentina wins and Iceland wins, goal difference decides
Argentina wins and Iceland draws or loses, Argentina progresses
Odds
Nigeria 10
Draw 4.75
Argentina 1.33
