In what many analysts expected to be a routine win for football superpower Argentina, stubborn Nigeria showed the world what they should expect at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Super Eagles came from a two-goal deficit to stun a Messi-less Argentina with a memorable 4-2 win in Russia. With a nervy Daniel Akpeyi in goal, Ever Banega and Sergio Aguero fired Argentina, to an early 2-0 lead just 36 minutes.
The Super Eagles slowly settled into the game and started throwing everything they had at the Argentinian defense. Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho began Nigeria’s comeback just before the break with a curling free-kick into the back of the net.
In the second half, Nigeria outplayed Argentina in almost all fields managing to add three past their goalie. Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, got himself on the scoresheet, grabbing a brace in the 52nd and 73rd minute, while debutante, Brian Idowu, added another in the 54th minute.
With the fans claiming they would have won if their Talisman Lionel Messi had played, Argentina coach Sampaoli boldly refuted claims saying they were clearly not the best team on the pitch.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We have to move away from being a one-man team. Maybe the scoreline would have been different with Messi on the pitch, but it’s hard to say because we had enough quality in the team to win any game,”[/perfectpullquote]
Sampaoli admitted.
“Nigeria were way better in the second half, they never stopped running and that made it hard for us to find any sort of rhythm going forward which they took advantage of to win. They did well and deserved to win “he added.
Aguero’s Scare
The Manchester City forward scored Argentina’s second making him the country’s third highest scorer but had to be taken off at the halftime mark after suffering dizzy spells. He was rushed to the hospital for a routine checkup and later discharged.
Despite many people’s fears that the City forward had suffered a blackout, his current employers released a statement earlier today clearing the air about his visit to the hospital.
“Sergio never lost consciousness and was taken to hospital for precautionary medical checks. He will be assessed by the club’s medical team ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to Leicester City,” the Citizens tweeted.
Maradona offers to return.
An angry Maradona posted a comparative table with winning percentages of Argentina’s last eleven coaches (since 1970) where he tops the chat with a 75% efficiency in 24 matches
The Argentina legend who was fired after crashing out in the 2010 World Cup Quarter-finals stated his desire to return to coaching the national side after posting the graph saying, [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Who wins more? Let’s draw our conclusions, I’m mad because they give away our prestige, but the players are not the ones to blame, I WANT TO RETURN !!!”[/perfectpullquote]
