For Argentina's Lionel Messi, the best birthday gifts apparently come a day late.
One day after his 27th birthday, Messi scored twice more as Argentina finished off their perfect run through the FIFA World Cup group stage with a 3-2 victory over Nigeria on Wednesday at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Messi, a four-time former FIFA Ballon d'Or winner who was unseated as the world's top player by Cristiano Ronaldo last year, has four goals in three games at the current World Cup, tied with Brazil's Neymar for most in the tournament.
And if Argentina are to fulfill their potential in Brazil, the little magician will likely have to keep up his scoring pace. Hailed as one of the favourites ahead of the World Cup by media sources like The Daily Telegraph and BBC Sport, Argentina disappointed somewhat in their first two matches, only for Messi to score winning goals against both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran.
So much for Messi not being the same player for Argentina. Reckon he's been saving himself for this.- Ian Darke (@IanDarke) June 25, 2014
#Messi was 27 yesterday. Prime age for a footballer. Is his best still to come? A scary thought.- The Special John (@bainesyDiego10) June 25, 2014
Against Nigeria, Messi picked up where he left off, scoring the opener in just the third minute and adding Argentina's second, via a free-kick, just before half-time. He made way for substitute Ricardo Alvarez in the 63rd minute, presumably to stay fresh ahead of the knockout phase.
Marcos Rojo scored the other goal for Argentina, bundling in a corner early in the second half. Ahmed Musa found the net either side of half-time for Nigeria, twice pulling the Super Eagles level temporarily.
Fernando Vergara/Associated Press
Both teams lost a player to injury, forcing each into substitutions. Argentina's Sergio Aguero left the match in the 38th minute, replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi. Nigeria's Michel Babatunde departed in the 66th minute with an apparent broken arm, replaced by Michael Uchebo.
With the win, Argentina finished atop Group F with a 100 per cent record and nine points from their three opening matches. The Albiceleste will face the runners-up from Group E in the round of 16.
Nigeria, meanwhile, finished second in the group despite Wednesday's loss and became the first African team to progress to the knockout stage. The Super Eagles will face the winners of Group E-almost certainly France-in the round of 16.
As the five-goal scoreline would suggest, the match featured plenty of excitement. Within the opening four minutes, in fact, both teams had already scored.
Argentina found the scoresheet first, Messi slamming in the rebound after Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had pushed Angel Di Maria's initial shot onto the near post. As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, the move leading up to the goal lasted for more than a minute and included 20 passes:
Here's a visual look at the 20-pass, 61 second lead-up to Lionel Messi's 1st goal of the game. #NGAvsARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/UOmB3Q20tp- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 25, 2014
Nigeria pulled level only a minute later via Musa's first strike. Babatunde served as provider, driving through the heart of Argentina's midfield before laying off for Musa on the left. Musa cut back onto his right foot before curling a picturesque shot into the net at the far post.
Nigeria-Argentina is the first game in #WorldCup history in which both teams scored in the first five minutes.- Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 25, 2014
The score remained 1-1 until late in the first half, though both teams had multiple chances to score before then. In stoppage time, moments after having one free-kick saved, Messi put Argentina ahead with another.
Setting up in a similar location to his previous attempt, Messi curled his second free-kick over the wall and into the net past Enyeama, who was unable to come close to saving.
The goal gave Argentina a 2-1 lead at half-time, but the advantage was short-lived. Nigeria leveled a second time, again through Musa, in the 47th minute.
Fernando Vergara/Associated Press
Musa started the move himself this time, passing to Emmanuel Emenike in the middle before continuing his run toward the box. After receiving the pass back from Emenike, Musa side-footed in at the near post to make it 2-2.
It was an alarming defensive lapse for Argentina, but it didn't prove costly. Three minutes later, the Albiceleste regained their lead as Rojo redirected a corner into the net with his knee.
With the score 3-2 and 40 minutes remaining, it seemed a good bet that more goals would be coming. But Argentina managed to hold onto their lead this time, keeping their 100 per cent record intact heading into the group stage. Grades Post-Match Reaction
Post By http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2109375-nigeria-vs-argentina-world-cup-group-f-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction
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