Nigeria couldn't contain Lionel Messi. Luckily for the Super Eagles, they didn't need to stop him in order to advance at the 2014 World Cup.
With Messi scoring two first-half goals, Argentina topped Nigeria 3-2 (http://data.huffingtonpost.com/2014/world-cup/matches/nigeria-vs-argentina-731809) at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre on Wednesday. The win sealed the top spot in Group F for Argentina and Nigeria also advanced as the runner-up in the group.
(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1876177/thumbs/o-GROUP-F-570.jpg?2)
After waiting until second-half stoppage time before lifting Argentina past Iran (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/21/messi-goal-iran-argentina_n_5518076.html) in its previous group-stage outing, Messi didn't waste any time against Nigeria. In the third minute, he pounced on a rebound in the Nigeria penalty area and scored his third goal in as many games.
Three games, three goals for Messi at this World Cup. This one got #ARG (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARG?src=hash) out to an early 1-0 lead. WATCH » http://t.co/JrLmPtothF
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 25, 2014 (https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/statuses/481833893382070272)
Nigeria responded quickly with a well-taken goal from Ahmed Musa in the fourth minute. But Messi reinstated the Argentina advantage shortly before halftime with a superb free kick goal.
What a ridiculous free kick from Messi! He makes it look so easy. Pulling off his own Maradona act in Brazil. WATCH » http://t.co/PY8dgGG8Ep
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 25, 2014 (https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/statuses/481843808729309184)
Both teams would add another goal in the second half but the stakes were lowered as Bosnia-Herzegovina had taken a lead over Iran in the other Group F finale being played simultaneously. A loss for Iran would mean that Argentina and Nigeria qualified for the Round of 16 regardless of the outcome in Porto Alegre.
Source: huffingtonpost.com