A thrilling encounter in Porto Alegre saw Argentina overcome Nigeria 3-2 to claim a fourth World Cup win over the Super Eagles, with Lionel Messi scoring a brace on his 27th birthday and Ahmed Musa also getting a brace for Nigeria.
The result ensured Argentina finish top of Group F with nine maximum points, ahead of Nigeria with four points while Bosnia-Herzegovina ended their maiden World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Iran in the other Group F match at Salvador.
Below is how the Nigerian players fared in the match:
Vincent Enyeama – 7.5
Was beaten early on by Lionel Messi on the rebound but recovered to keep out a handful of efforts from Angel di Maria, only to be beaten again by Messi on the stroke of half-time.
Enyeama conceded one more goal early in the second half but his overall display sustained his rating as undoubtedly Africa’s best goalkeeper at the moment and arguably in the top five among world keepers.
Juwon Oshaniwa – 6
Only in the starting team courtesy of Elderson Echiejile’s injury just before the World Cup began, Oshaniwa has justified his questioned inclusion in the Nigerian squad with another assured display against Argentina.
Efe Ambrose – 5
Sometimes struggled to keep up with the frenetic pace of the match and found Angel di Maria a headache down the flank.
Joseph Yobo & Kenneth Omeruo – 6
Playing his 99th international, Nigerian captain Yobo put in another decent shift alongside Omeruo against a rampant Argentine attack but could have done better to prevent the first and third goals.
Neither of the duo recovered quickly enough to stop Messi from smashing home the opening goal off a rebound, while Marcos Rojo was unmarked as his knee steered in Ezequiel Garay’s wayward header for Argentina’s winner.
Ogenyi Onazi – 6
Tried to do too much by being anchor and support at the same time, allowing di Maria and Messi to take advantage of the freedom inadvertently given them as a result. But he did do well when he was available to cover the defence.
John Mikel Obi – 3
Left Onazi exposed by not being mobile enough on the ball and basically watched the frantic game go by him to the point Osaze Odemwingie and even Emmanuel Emenike came deep to get the ball forward.
Michael Babatunde
Put in another decent shift as support to Mikel, who should have been the creative point of the Super Eagles. Had to go off with a strapped arm from blocking a goal-bound Onazi shot in the second half.
Ahmed Musa – 9
Nigeria’s man of the match with a scintilatting display of speed and precision in front of goal, taking his two goals early in each half very well and prevented from a possible hattrick by a last ditch Pablo Zabaleta tackle in the seconf half.
Osaze Odemwingie – 6
Provided alternate pace on the other side of Musa’s wing, giving Nigeria an edge over the Argentine defence. Got a shot but could not keep it on target.
Emmanuel Emenike – 6
Was his usual bullish self and capped a decent display with a good assist that set up Musa in the area for Nigeria’s second goal early in the second half. The Fernabahce striker also had an effort sail just wide afterwards.
The 3-2 loss was enough to see Nigeria through to the last 16 for the first time since France ’98, with the Super Eagles set to face France in the next round on Monday night.