Lionel Messi took Argentina one step closer to the dream final in Brazil. The two rival countries are aiming to go against each other in an explosive clash that will shake the football world. Brazil had already done their part a few days earlier by qualifying easily from group A and now Argentina are through as well bringing the tally of South American teams up to 6 to make it to the top 16 so far.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 BRAZIL
Group F Match Results
Argentina 3-2 Nigeria (Messi 3', 45'+, Rojo 50') (Musa 4',47')
Messi was brilliant in the final minutes against Iran which threatened to end in a draw until Messi's stoppage time goal to bring Argentina to the third match with a maximum 6 points. His skills were on display once again within only 3 minutes of the game against Nigeria but the Africans replied with a goal of their own to neutralize Messi's opener.
The first half was closed by another stoppage time goal by Messi but Nigeria quickly come back with an equalizer two minutes into the second half. Argentina take the lead again through Marcos Rojo. The game ends with Argentina on top 3-2 allowing them to take top spot in the group.
Nigeria will still qualify on second position.
Meanwhile, with Bosnia and Herzegovina already eliminated coming into this round, Iran had it all to play for if Nigeria are defeated which they were. Unfortunately for Iran, they were unable to capitalise and fell 3-1 to Bosnia effectively taking themselves out of the competition.
Referee Nicola Rizzoli (L) of Italy marks the ground with vanishing spray during the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match between Argentina and Nigeria at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre June 25, 2014 REUTERSArgentina's Lionel Messi refreshes himself during the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match agaisnt Nigeria at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre June 25, 2014.REUTERSNigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (R) helps Argentina's Lionel Messi up during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre June 25, 2014. REUTERSArgentina's Gonzalo Higuain jumps for the ball with Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike (R) during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre June 25, 2014. REUTERSNigeria's Michael Babatunde is carried off after getting injured during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Argentina at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre June 25, 2014. REUTERSNigeria's Juwon Oshaniwa receives a yellow card from referee Nicola Rizzoli of Italy during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Argentina at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre June 25, 2014. REUTERSArgentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal with team mate Ezequiel Lavezzi (L) during the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Nigeria at the Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre. REUTERSIran's Andranik Teymourian (R) reacts as Bosnia's Edin Dzeko (L), Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibisevic (2nd R) celebrate their team's second goal during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 25, 2014. REUTERSIran's Ashkan Dejagah (top) consoles teammate Andranik Teymourian after they were defeated by Bosnia in their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 25, 2014. REUTERSBosnia's Miralem Pjanic (L) holds the ball under his jersey at the end of their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Iran at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 25, 2014. REUTERS
