FT: Argentina 2 - 4 Nigeria (pre-World Cup friendly)

FT: Argentina 2 - 4 Nigeria (pre-World Cup friendly)

Below is the live update of the pre-World Cup friendly between Nigeria and Argentina below;

FT: Argentina 2 - 4 Nigeria

A comeback victory for the Eagles in the eight encounter between these two sides at senior level.

Nigeria were two goals down after strikes from Banega and Aguero in the first half but Iheanacho pulled one back before half time with a curling freekick.

Iheanacho, Bryan Idowu and Iwobi completed the comeback for the Super Eagles with goals in the second half.

90' Argentina seeing more if the ball in the final moments but anything they throw at the eagles is easily dealt with

88' Freekick for Argentina as Ahmed Musa commits a fouls but the attempt from Ever Banega is well wide off the mark

87' SUB: Alex Iwobi off, Kayode Olarenwaju on

86' Nigeria attack again through Iwobi who sprints clear and puts Perez on his backside twice, before Mikel's cross is headed behind for a corner.

84' Musa does brilliantly to work space on the right from a short free-kick, but Mascherano steps in to clear the consequent cross

81' SAVE! Uzoho saves from Benedetto's header, The corner is not attacked and it rolls for a goal kick

80' WHAT A CHANCE! Ndidi meets Mikel's delivery and nods wide. That should have been five for Nigeria

78' SUB: Di Maria, Pavon off, Perotti, Rigoni on

76' What a turn around this has been! Nigeria were two goals down after strikes from Banega and Aguero in the first half but Iheanacho pulled one back before half time.

Iheanacho, Bryan Idowu and now Iwobi completed the comeback for the Super Eagles

75' Substitute Ahmed Musa finds the attacker with a cross in the box, The Arsenal man had three players surrounding him but he finds a way to nutmeg Mascherano and free himself after which he slots home

74' GOOOOOAAAALLLLL! Alex Iwobi scores his second of the day and what a goal that was

70' Sub: Kelechi Iheanacho off, Ahmed Musa on. Recall that the 25-year-old scored twice against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

69' Corner for Argentina but Otamendi heads wide

67' Corner to Argentina as Omeruo chests Di Maria's cross behind. The corner eventually comes to nothing

64' Nigeria counter again but Otamendi steps in to halt Iheanacho. What a battle that has been!

62' Belluschi on, Dybala off...The Super Eagles playing with all kinds of swagger now. Mikel finds Iheanacho on the left but the youngster cannot beat his marker

60' SUB: Leon Balogun comes off, Kenneth Omeruo comes on

59' SAVE! Nigeria counter and Ebuechi send a drilled cross to Iheanacho who flicks but the attempt is saved.

58' SUB: Alejandro Gomez comes on for Le Celso

56' It was another nicely worked goal. Idowu got the goal, and calmly curled into the corner from Iheanacho's lay-off. What a start to the second half this has been. 2-3.

55' GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL Debutant Bryan Idowu makes it 3 - 2 for Nigeria

54' What a nicely worked goal that was Iheanacho frees himself on the right and send a los cross for Iwobi whose low drive finds the bottom of the net

53' GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL! Alex Iwbo scores to put the Super Eagles level

49' Corner for Nigeria taken by Iheanacho but just headed wide by Troost-Ekong

48' Argentina have also started he second half on top and have all of the possession so far

47' For Nigeria Uzoho comes on in goal ahead of Daniel Akpeyi, Ola Aina off, Bryan Idowu on, Ebuechi on in place of Shehu Abdullahi

46' Nigeria get the second half started and there is a chance for Argentina after the break.

Sergio Aguero off, Benedetto on

HT: Argentina 2 - 1 Nigeria

Ever Banega scored a freekick to put his side ahead as Argentina dominated the opening 30 minutes. Sergio Aguero made it two with a simple tap in from Pavon's cross

However Kelechi Iheanacho scored a late freekick to make it 2 - 1 as the Eagles ended the half stronger of the two sides

44' GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!! Kelechi Iheanacho scores from the subsequent free kick. This is the second freekick of the game

44' Nigeria's most lively player Alex Iwobi does well to earn a freekick after he was stopped from meeting a return pass from Mikel

42' Almost! Leon Balogun miscontrols in midfield and Aguero steals the ball, feeds Dybala who finds Banega who switches to Di Maria. The PSG man's cross almost meets Aguero but it is cleared as far as Dybala who could not take a shot. the danger is thwarted.... for now....

39' That was Kun's 36th international goal. The South Americans have been on top so far

38' GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL! Sergio Aguero doubles the lead with a simple tap in from a low right wing cross from Pavon

37' Ever Banega's freekick is what seperates the two sides here in Krasnodar

36' The Super Eagles have been all all over the place in this game as Argentina have looked hungier

34' SHOT! De Celso is on the end of an attacking move and shoots just wide

33' Free header from a corner for Otamendi but the Manchester City man heads wide. Woeful marking from the Super Eagles

31' ANOTHER CHANCE for Argentina, Pavon takes out Awuziem on the right and almost finds Aguero but Akpeyi is quick to come out and hold onto the ball

29' GOOOOOAAAALLLL! Ever Banega converts the freekick and what a strike that was

28' Freekick for Argentina as Akpeyi is adjudged to have handled in the box

25' Pavon and Aguero have a clash as both players chase a pass into the box...the referee is forced to stop the game

22' Angel Di Maria does on a mazy run on the left and loops a ball for Pavon but the attacker fould Ola Aina in an attempt to head the ball

17' Kelechi Iheanacho shown a yellow card for a foul on fomer Manchester City teammate Otamendi

14' The set-piece comes in and Leon Balogun clears, but the ball looks to have struck the defender right on the top of the head. He's down receiving treatment.

9' Pavon wins a corner. Johan Ogu concedes possession in the middle of the pitch and Argentina switch the ball to Mascherano, whose long pass picks out Pavon. A shot from an awkward angle deflects behind

2' Mikel Obi wins possession but he is immediately surrounded by three players and misses out. Argentina looking to take control early on

1' Argentina get us started and immediately look to attack, Lionel Messi is not in the squad for the game

1' Here are the confirmed line-ups for the game

Nigeria XI vs Argentina: Akpeyi; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun Awaziem, Shehu Abdullahi; Ndidi, Mikel, Ogu; Iwobi, Iheanacho

Argentina XI vs Nigeria: Marchesin; Mascherano, Pezzella, Otamendi; Enzo Perez, Banega, Lo Celso, Di Maria; Dybala, Pavon, Aguero

Below is the preview of the pre-World Cup friendly between Nigeria and Argentina;

- This will be the eight encounter between both teams at senior level

- Argentina have five wins while Nigeria have one win in matches between both sides

- Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain will not play while John Mikel Obi returns for Nigeria

- Match to kick off at 5.30pm Nigerian time, 7.30pm local time in Russia

Argentina will take on Nigeria in an international friendly in Krasnodar as both teams prepare for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It will be the eighth meeting between both sides at senior level. Out of the seven previous encounters played between both sides, the South Americans have won on five occasions.

Confirmed line up:

Nigeria XI vs Argentina: Akpeyi; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun Awaziem, Shehu Abdullahi; Ndidi, Mikel, Ogu; Iwobi, Iheanacho

Argentina XI vs Nigeria: Marchesin; Mascherano, Pezzella, Otamendi; Enzo Perez, Banega, Lo Celso, Di Maria; Dybala, Pavon, Aguero

The last coming at the 2014 World Cup where Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3 - 2 win for the South Americans. Ahmed Musa scored Nigeria's two goals in that game.

Preview: Argentina vs Nigeria (friendly)
Lionel Messi scored twice (including one freekick) against Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup. Photo: FIFA

PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App

Skipper Mikel who was left out of the final World cup qualifier in Algeria on Friday, will return to the starting XI against Argentina.

Preview: Argentina vs Nigeria (friendly)
The Super Eagles played a 1 - 1 draw against Algeria in their last match. Photo: CAF

Lionel Messi will not play the game having featured in the Friendly against Russia on Saturday, November 11.

Kick off: 5.30pm (Nigerian time), 7.30pm (Russian local time)

Date: Tuesday, November 14

Venue: Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia

Confirmed injured/out of the game

Nigeria: Odion Ighalo, Elderson Echiejile, Mikel Agu, Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Moses and Moses Simon

Argentina: Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Mauro Icardi

READ ALSO: Buffon, De Rossi, Chiellini, Barzagli all retire as Italy fail to qualify for 2018 World Cup

Where to watch: In the US, the match can be watched on Bein Sports

Confirmed line ups:

Nigeria: Akpeyi; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun Awaziem, Shehu Abdullahi; Ndidi, Mikel, Ogu; Iwobi, Iheanacho

Argentina: Marchesin; Mascherano, Pezzella, Otamendi; Enzo Perez, Banega, Lo Celso, Di Maria; Dybala, Pavon, Aguero

Organisers say there will be maximum changes of six players per team for this match.

Nigeria Super Eagles qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup on Legit.ng TV;

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Khadijah Thabit avatar

Khadijah Thabit (Copyeditor) Khadijah Thabit is an editor with over 3 years of experience editing and managing contents such as articles, blogs, newsletters and social leads. She has a BA in English and Literary Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Khadijah joined Legit.ng in September 2020 as a copyeditor and proofreader for the Human Interest, Current Affairs, Business, Sports and PR desks. As a grammar police, she develops her skills by reading novels and dictionaries. Email: khadeeejathabit@gmail.com

Tags: