Minute by minute update as Super Eagles of Nigeria take on Argentina in their last Group game of World Cup 2018.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are taking on the La Albiceleste of Argentina in a crunch Group D game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Nigeria head into this back on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Iceland that got their World Cup 2018 back on track.
It is set to be an intriguing evening in Group as everyone has a chance of reaching the round of 16 depending on their respective results and that of the other game.
Follow minutes by minutes updates here.
Kick-off
Full time
Nigeria 1 Vs 2 Argentina
Super Eagles crash out of 2018 World Cup after a 2-1 loss to Argentina.
A first half goal from Lionel Messi, his first at World Cup 2018 set Argentina to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in a crunch Group D game on Tuesday.
Moses netted a penalty in the second half to bring Nigeria level but a late goal from Rojo sent the Super Eagles crashing from the World Cup 2018.
Details shortly...
Second half
Nigeria 1 Vs 2 Argentina
Super Eagles fall third while Argentina jump to second.
86mins: Rojo puts Argentina in the lead.
84mins: Ighalo gets a chance in the box but his effort is saved. Ndidi is fouled, Etebo's freekick goes narrowly wide.
79mins: Argentina going all out for it. Huge pressure on the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Two changes for Argentina, Pavon and Aguero coming in.
75mins: Chance for Nigeria: Musa's deflectd pass gets to Ighalo but the striker's shot is blocked. Super Eagles protest for VAR, referee goes to check it. Referee says no.
72mins: Corner to Argentina, Ighalo heads it out.
70mins: Ndidi tries from distance but it went a little over the bar. Moses slides well to also defend a dangerous ball in the ball seconds later.
61mins: Super Eagles on the back foot now, concedes a corner and defend it well again. Musa troubling Argentina with his pace.
51mins: Moses scores: Goal for Nigeria
50mins: Penalty to Nigeria! Balogun is penalised in the box during a cornerkick and the referee points to the spot. Argentina protest but referee sticks to his decision.
45mins: Nigeria kick offs on the front foot and Argentina looking to hit from counterattack.
Half-time Nigeria 0 Vs 1 Argentina
32mins: Chance for Argentina!!! Messi's freekick hits the post.
31mins: Di Maria outpaces Balogun, gets clear on goal but is felled by the Nigerian defender. Yellow card for Balogun.
Still 1-0 to Argentina and as it stands Croatia and Argentina are top of the group with six and four points respectively. Nigeria and Iceland bottom
Argentina caught Super Eagles defence sleeping there. A long pass from evades Omeruo, Messi collects and fires home with his right foot. His first goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Nigeria 0 Vs 1 Argentina
26mins: Uzoho rushes out to clear a Messi pass from the path of Higuain and the Nigerian goalkeeper is caught in the face. He receives treatment and game resumes.
14: 00mins: Goal for Argentina!!!. Messi collects a shot in the 18-yard-box and send it into the far corner.
09:18: Messi darts inside the Nigerian box but his pass is blocked.
07: 12: Chance for Argentina! Tagliafico takes a pass and runs inside the Nigerian box but his shot is wide.
04:51mins: Di Maria escapes Nigeria's back-line but his flagged for offside.
01mins: Argentina holding the ball now, playing it around. Seems the Super Eagles are starting on the backfoot.
Twitter heating up
Nigeria Twitter is on fire right now ahead of the game. Rio Ferdinand is even supporting the Super Eagles.
The hashtag #NGAARG is the number one trending item on Twitter Nigeria while 'Naija All the Way' and 'Group D' are also among top trending items.
Line-up
Confirmed Nigeria line up. Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr retains same starting 11 from the 2-0 win against Iceland.
Uzoho, Ekong, Balogun, Omeruo, Idowu, Moses, Ndidi, Mikel, Etebo, Iheanacho, Musa.
Projected line-up
Amidst reports of chaos in camp and players’ revolt against their coach Jorge Sampaoli, a particular Argentina starting line-up against Nigeria has been widely reported.
According to media reports, Franco Armani will start in goal ahead of Willy Caballero who has been dropped following his error in the 3-0 loss to Croatia.
Mundo Albiceleste also report that only eight of the 11 players that started against Croatia will make the starting 11 against Nigeria.
Nigeria
For the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr is set to maintain the same line-up which he used for the 2-0 win over Argentina.
In the 3-5-2 formation, only captain Mikel John Obi is a doubt following the fractured metacarpal he suffered against Iceland.
Rohr has however insisted that the midfielder can play with a cast.
Match day
Just like what he did before the game against Iceland, Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami gave the Super Eagles a pep talk ahead of today’s game.
Later, the had the usual matchday team walk around their hotel in Saint-Petersburg.
Intriguing Group D
Despite failing to pick up a win yet at the World Cup , Argentina still have a chance of getting to the round of 16. They need a huge win against Nigeria and hope that Croatia who are already through will beat Iceland.
Iceland need to beat Croatia by more than two goals and hope Nigeria fail to beat Argentina.
Argentina need a win. A draw might be enough for Nigeria depending on results in the concurrent game between Croatia and Iceland, but they cannot be sure.
Super Eagles in Saint Petersburg
The Super Eagles of Nigeria arrived in Saint Petersburg on Sunday, June 12. They trained at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, where the game will be played on Monday, June 25.