Argentina beat Nigeria and now stand atop Group F
Remarkable performance of star Lionel Messi, four times hailed as the world’s best player, who scored twice during the Group F match. 
Argentina did justice to their status as one of the favorites by nailing on Wednesday (Jun 25) a 3-2 victory over Nigeria. The result was made possible largely due to the remarkable performance of star Lionel Messi, four times hailed as the world’s best player, who scored twice during the Group F match. In spite of being defeated, the Nigerian squad has qualified for the round of 16 as the runner-up.
The game got off to an electrifying start, with two goals scored within the first five minutes. Messi went first in the 2nd minute with a shot from inside the penalty area. Next came Nigerian Musa, scoring his equalizing goal in the 4th minute. Time went by and the hard-fought duel remained balanced, with nice opportunities on both sides. Later on, however, Messi did it again, scoring another one through a delightful free-kick 45 minutes into the first half.
In the second part, the atmosphere was no less electrifying, as Musa tied it up again two minutes after the second kickoff. Two minutes later, in an apparently not very deliberate move, Argentina’s defender Rojo managed to give Lavezzi’s corner kick a nice finish. Argentina 3, Nigeria 2.
Over 25 thousand Argentinians cheered for their country from Beira-Rio Stadium, in Porto Alegre, and over 60 thousand others did the same outside the venue, scattered around the streets of the city.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Argentina beat Nigeria and now stand atop Group F
