The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been eliminated from the 2018 World Cup, after a 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday night. Gernot Rohr’s men only needed a draw or victory to progress into the next round. The team stuck with the same formation and players that beat Iceland 2-0 last Friday, but they struggled to find fluency in the first half. Lionel Messi scored his first goal in Russia, to give his side the lead at the break.Victor Moses levelled from the penalty spot, after Javier Mascherano was punished for tugging Leon Balogun. Odion Ighalo missed two good opportunities to give the Eagles the lead, before Marcos Rojo slammed in a volley late in the game, to give the Albiceleste all three points and a place in the last 16.
Below are 5 things we learned from the match:
Nigeria so unlucky to lose their place in last 16
Nigeria fought bravely and can leave Russia with pride, despite narrowly missing out on their place in the last 16. The Super Eagles have improved considerably since that disappointing defeat to Croatia in the first week of the tournament. They outclassed Iceland and this evening outfought Argentina, battling their way back into the game after a true wonder goal and then coming so close to reaching the knockout stages.
Argentina and Rojo again
Nigeria must be sick of playing Argentina at the World Cup. Four times they’ve met in the group stage of the World Cup; four times Argentina have triumphed by the odd goal. It happened in 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and in Russia (2018). Last time in Brazil four years ago, it was Marcos Rojo who scored the winner in a 3-2 victory.
Ighalo should have won it
Oh yes, Odion Ighalo, you let your country down. The striker who is now based in China, had two golden opportunities with the score at 1-1, before Marcos Rojo sealed victory for The White and Sky-Blues
Rohr should not be sacked
He has his weak moments and he got some calls wrong, but overall, Gernot Rohr has not done badly as head coach of the Supe Eagles. The Nigeria Football Federation should keep him in charge, ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Messi sneaks through
With 10 minutes left, it seemed Messi and his team-mates would be leaving Russia. The Barcelona sueprstar has not exactly set the tournament alight like his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. But he got his first against Nigeria and will be facing Argentina next.