|
FIFA World Cup 2010 match 4 - Group B Argentina: Romero, Demichelis, Heinze, Samuel, Di Maria (Burdisso 85), Veron (Maxi 74), Mascherano, Gutierrez, Higuain (Milito 79), Messi, Tevez. Nigeria: Enyeama, Yobo, Taiwo (Uche 74), Shittu, Odiah, Kaita, Haruna, Etuhu, Yakubu, Obinna (Martins 52), Obasi Ogbuke (Odemwingie 60). This was a predictably lively encounter between two sides hoping to get points on the board in a tough looking section. Nigeria pressed first with Obasi Ogbuke skipping away from the stand in right back for Argentina Gutierrez but he could only fire his cross shot well wide of goal. It did not take Argentina's star turn, Messi, long to impose himself on the action with a driving run that took him beyond two defenders before squaring to Higuain in front of goal. The striker looked offside but there was no flag as he sidefooted wide with a chance he should have buried. Argentina did take the lead on six minutes after dreadful defending by Nigeria. Firstly Odiah passed the ball straight to Tevez who fed Messi for a curling effort that Enyeama did well to tip behind at full stretch. Then from the corner Obinna stood rooted to the spot as the man he was supposed to be marking, Heinze, ran unchallenged for a diving header that found the top corner from penalty spot range. Argentina did not rest on this early goal and fashioned several chances to increase their lead without being able to make one count. Messi was at the heart of almost all Argentina's attacking play and brought two more fine saves out of Enyeama with precise efforts and the keeper blocked again from Higuain who would have been disappointed once more not to finish after being sent through on goal by Tevez. Nigeria retained hope of exploiting Gutierrez at right back and a lovely ball by Yakubu caught him out to give Obasi Ogbuke another sight of goal but again his effort was dragged harmlessly across goal. Argentina, therefore, reached half time well worth thir one goal lead but with Nigeria still just about in contention. Half Time: Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Messi causing problems throughout with his darting runs but Argentina unable to put the game to bed with a second goal. Messi was narrowly wide from the edge of the box after Tevez had led a four on two break following a Nigeria corner and Enyeama made another fine save to deny Higuain low down to his right. Nigeria retained hope of snatching a draw and they looked more likely after the introduction of Martins early in the second half. Taiwo drove a strange shot narrowly wide and Martins fired straight at Romero who made a meal of punching clear. Messi had a clear chance to seal victory when played in on goal by Di Maria but again Enyeama, enjoying an inspired afternoon, was able to block. Nigeria kept up their search for an equaliser and fashioned a good chance when Uche did well to release Yakubu down the right and got into the box to meet the cut back but could not keep the bouncing ball down. Yakubu was also close with a fierce drive from distance but in the end one goal was enough in a game that could have produced many more. Full Time: Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 Argentina Ratings: Romero 6, Demichelis 6, Heinze 7, Samuel 6, Di Maria 7, Veron 6 (Maxi 5), Mascherano 7, Gutierrez 5, Higuain 5 (Milito 5), Messi 9, Tevez 7. Nigeria: Enyeama 10, Yobo 6, Taiwo 6 (Uche 6), Shittu 6, Odiah 5, Kaita 6, Haruna 5, Etuhu 6, Yakubu 7, Obinna 5 (Martins 7), Obasi Ogbuke 6 (Odemwingie 5). Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany) 7 Good: The personal duel between Enyeama and Messi with the Nigerian keeper coming out on top. Bad: Obinna's static defending for the goal. Surely you won't see worse at this World Cup. Ugly: Maradona. Does anyone at this World Cup look more like a tramp? Looking at him you can almost smell the urine.
|
