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- LIONEL scores twice to help Argentina defeat Nigeria
- Ahmed Musa also bags a brace during pulsating Group F clash
- Both Argentina and Nigeria have qualified for the last
Dan RipleyHost commentator
Unless he takes drastic action it might prove rather difficult for Alejandro Sabella to stop his players relying too much on Lionel Messi.
Dropping him is probably the only solution, such is the impact Argentina's magical captain is beginning to have at this World Cup.
After scoring the winning goal in his side's first two Group F encounters, Messi was at it again here at a pulsating Estadio Beira-Rio.
Only this time he struck twice before Marcos Rojo stepped forward to settle another utterly absorbing encounter and become only the second Argentina player to score at these finals.
Click here for the full match report
Click here to follow live coverage of Bosnia vs Iran
Nigeria 2-3 Argentina (5pm)
Click here for Sportsmail's brilliant World Cup Match Zone
Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Yobo, Omeruo, Oshaniwa, Onazi, Mikel, Babatunde (Uchebo 65), Odemwingie (Nwofor 80), Emenike, Musa.
Subs: Ejide, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Oboabona, Azeez, Ameobi, Agbim.
Booked: Omeruo, Oshaniwa.
Goal: Musa 4, 47.
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Messi (Alvarez 63), Higuain (Biglia 90+1), Aguero (Lavezzi 38).
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Basanta, Andujar.
Goal: Messi 3, 45+1, Rojo 50.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Speaking of those trio of teams in Group E - they feature tonight in the conclusion of that section of the draw.
That's all from me here but make you check the homepage for all the post-match reaction as well as Group E's live coverage which is on the way soon. Cheerio.
I had fears this match was going to be a right wash out and I suppose for the last 30 minutes it was.
But the opening hour was superb and as good as anything I've ever seen in this tournament.
I'm still not convinced by Argentina, but they progress to the next round where they will likely play either Ecuador or Switzerland.
For Nigeria it's all but certain they will face France - so it's not going to get easier, but the African side have improved as this tournament has progressed.
Argentina progress to last 16 as Group F winners
Nigeria progress to last 16 as Group F runners-up
Smiles all round in Porto Alegre then...
90+1min: Final change for Argentina as Higuain departs in favour of Lucas Biglia.
90min: There will be four minutes of injury time as Mascherano's long range effort proves easy enough for Enyeama to claim.
WARNING - this isn't for the faint hearted.
85min: The big surprise in this game is that Di Maria has somehow not scored. Again the midfielder is through on goal but his latest effort is blasted straight at Enyeama who was guarding the near post.
80min: Nigeria make another change as Uche Nwofor replaces Odemwingie.
77min: Brilliant set-piece from Argentina. From a free-kick, Di Maria chips the ball towards the near post where Lavezzi's low shot is superbly blocked by Enyeama.
The Nigeria keeper has conceded three goals but has made some fine stops in this match.
74min: How many clubs are going to be watching Musa after this World Cup? The forward is also looking for his hat-trick, and goes for the spectacular as he blasts an Odemwingie cross off target from 20 yards on th evolley.
It would have been a stunning finish had he scored but what I didn't mention was that by 'off-target' I meant 'WAY off target.'
Changes: Ricardo Alvarez of Argentina replaces Lionel MessiJob done: Lionel Messi of Argentina wipes off perspiration after being substituted71min: Lavezzi tries to get this match going again, but he seems to be the only one sprinting now as upon reaching the Nigeria byline, his low cross into the box has no team-mates willing to attack it.
68min: Those two changes have taken the sting out of this game. Beforehand it was a very entertaining encounter but without Messi Argentina are showing very little, while Nigeria are trying to settle since the loss of Babatunde.
You got me twice! Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria shares a joke with Lionel Messi of Argentina65min: 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.
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.
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 goal58min: 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.
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.
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.
Making a point or two: Ahmed Musa of Nigeria celebrates scoring his second goal of the game47min: 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.
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
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
Look who lost the ball leading to Nigeria's equaliser...
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.
'Oh I don't know. I think Messi's doing okay in this tournament.'
Leaving it late: Lionel Messi of Argentina scores his team's second goal on the cusp of half-time45+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!
'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.
A fine range of tattoos on the body of Lavezzi, including, it looked like, one of Maradona!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 25, 2014
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.
Under pressure: Sergio Aguero of Argentina controls the ball against Ogenyi Onazi of Nigeria36min: 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.
'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.
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.
Out to block: Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama dives in on a wide shot by Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain24min: 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.
Expectation: Argentina's supporters cheer for their team inside the Estadio Beira-Rio18min: 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.
'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 equaliser9min: 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 minutes7min: 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.
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!
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.
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.
...around 80,000 in fact.
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
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)
Heading for the last 16? Nigeria's national team warm up in the Estadio Beira-Rio before kick-off
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.
In the swing: Argentina's Lionel Messi warms up before the Group F clash
Eye on the ball: Argentina's Lionel Messi practices with a football in Porto AlegreIt's quite simple (well it is up to a point) regarding the qualification scenario from Group F.
Argentina are already through and can seal top spot with a draw, while Nigeria can qualify for the last 16 with a point as runners-up. If they are daring they could do the ultimate job and claim top spot with victory.
Iran must beat Bosnia, who are already out, and hope Argentina beat Nigeria to have any chance of progress.
But there is one more scenario to consider...
Here's a quick little game for you, can you recognise the masks that these Argentina supporters are wearing? I don't have the answers but I can swear there is two of one former Premier League striker.
*SPOILER: For my money, it's (left to right) Maradona, Veron, Tevez, Aguero, Di Maria, Tevez and Messi
Masked heroes: Argentinian fans cheer for their team wearing masks of current and former Argentina stars
The one they all want: An Argentina fan lifts a replica World Cup
We've been waiting eight years for Lionel Messi to finally shine for Argentina at the World Cup and now it's finally happening.
Just as well for the South Americans too, because without the Barcelona star's magic they would surely be struggling in this group.
However they are through to the last 16 and you can back Argentina to win with Messi scoring at 5/4 with Coral in their match special. Click here for more on that offer and other potential bets.
Give it back! Stewards collect banners in the Argentinian stands before the South American side face NigeriaIt's status quo for both sides, with Argentina and Nigeria unchanged from their 1-0 wins over Iran and Bosnia respectively.
Lionel Messi captains the South American team in a match where both teams will be more than happy to take a draw...which isn't a really good omen for the entertainment junkies among us.
Centre of attention: The shirt worn by Lionel Messi of Argentina hangs in the dressing room before the game
Kitted out The shirt worn by Lionel Messi of Argentina and match pennant are displayed in the Estadio Beira-Rio dressing roomEnyeama, Yobo, Ambrose, Musa, Odemwingie, Emenike, Mikel, Oshaniwa, Onazi, Babatunde, Omeruo.
Romero, Garay, Zabaleta, Gago, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi, Mascherano, Rojo, Fernandez, Aguero.
...and no I don't mean today where the South American side will surely get the point they need to finish top of Group F.
June 25 just happens to be the day when Argentina won their first World Cup in 1978, defeating Holland 3-1 in the final.
Since winning the tournament again in 1986, they have only reached one semi-final, but is this the year that Lionel Messi can finally live up to his reputation as one of the greatest players in the world and lead them to global glory in Brazil? Team news coming right up.
On home soil: Argentina captain Daniel Passarella raises the World Cup trophy after helping his side win the tournament on home territory in 1978Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2668454/Argentina-vs-Nigeria-World-Cup-2014-LIVE-Follow-Group-F-action-happens.html#ixzz35jmhvI00
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