Marcos Rojo finally gives Lionel Messi a support cast and other Nigeria v Argentina talking points

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  • Marcos Rojo emerged as the shock saviour as his stunning late volley sent Argentina through to World Cup 2018’s round of 16 at Nigeria’s expense thanks to a 2-1 win.

    La Albiceleste’s tortured spell in Russia saw them come into the Group D showdown at Saint Petersburg Stadium needing victory to stand any hope of avoiding a first group-stage elimination since 2002. Lionel Messi’s stupendous control of Ever Banega’s superb chipped pass and expert finish into the top corner in the 14th minute appeared to offer salvation.

    But the Super Eagles started the stronger in the second half and drew level on 51 minutes when Victor Moses calmly stroked home a penalty after Javier Mascherano’s pull on Leon Balogun. This result was enough, at that stage, to see them advance to their second-successive World Cup knockout stage.

    Argentina toiled from this moment and didn’t register another attempt on goal until the 80th minute. Then the unlikely figure of centre-back Rojo stormed onto Gabriel Mercado’s cross and found the bottom corner in the 86th minute to spark scenes of unmitigated joy.

    They now face France in the knockouts.

    MESSI FINALLY RECEIVES SOME SUPPORT

    Moments laced with genius changed everything for Argentina.

    On this occasion, Messi was not a one-man band. For once, the burden was shared.

    Rojo – fortunate to not concede a first-half penalty for a high boot – appeared from nowhere to offer salvation when everything appeared lost.

    Questions remain plentiful about whether La Albiceleste can ever deliver the World Cup glory absent from Messi’s career.

    It is now up to embattled head coach Jorge Sampaoli to show he can answer them when the defining tests appear in the weeks to come.

    He finally knows that he has the players capable of delivering success. Whether they did this for him, or in spite of him, will be found out in the challenges ahead.

    Sampaoli’s charges came into this anticipated contest on the back of widespread reports of mutiny. They had been sparked by Thursday’s 3-0 humbling served up by Croatia.

    On that night, Messi, uncharacteristically, was missing in action. Lost in the dumbfounding switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation that was not fit for purpose.

    This followed the opening 1-1 draw against Iceland in which the Barcelona icon had been everywhere, and delivered only a pained second-half penalty miss.

    On Tuesday night, they went ahead on 14 minutes as the great man provided the requisite control from a perfect Banega pass of pure beauty. The supreme Sevilla centre midfielder should not had been forced to wait until then for his first World Cup start.

    But then, retreat followed and Nigeria knew that only a draw was needed.

    Mascherano’s gift was duly taken. Argentina stuttered as ignominy awaited.

    The likes of Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Gonzalo Higuain – again guilty of an alarming miss – have all previously stumbled in Messi’s shadow. The great man carried them through qualifying, as he’d done towards four previous final defeats at World Cups and Copa Americas.

    Then Rojo arrived. The dream, somehow, remains alive.

    SUPER EAGLES RECEIVE STING IN THE TAIL

    Nigeria will look back on the second half in Saint Petersburg with clear regret.

    But a bright future can still be theirs.

    Head coach Gernot Rohr selected the youngest squad present at Russia, with an average age of 25.9-years old.

    If chastening lessons can be taken from this elimination when progression was within their grasp, great success lies in store.

    Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho, at 21, now must start delivering on the early promise shown at Manchester City.

    Anchor man Wilfred Ndidi, also 21, lashed over when put in a promising position during the second half.

    In November’s friendly between the sides, attacker Alex Iwobi doubled up to earn a 4-2 victory. At 22-years old, he can come again.

    This bunch of players were the first country to secure qualification in Africa.

    Next summer’s Africa Cup of Nations is now an obvious – and attainable – target.

    Nigeria v Argentina: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

    MASCHERANO IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

    Amid the hysteria that will surround this result, exacting questions must be asked of a modern great.

    Mascherano has represented Argentina with distinction since his debut, 15 years and more than 140 caps ago.

    Away from the obvious incident of the penalty, uncertainty defines the 34-year-old where previously he provided omnipresence.

    A loose pass in the first half should have been punished by Iheanacho.

    After the penalty, another Foxes-owned attacker in Ahmed Musa skipped by him with impunity to spark danger.

    The battleground in centre midfield is unrelenting. Not even the deliverance of three tackles, three clearances and two interceptions against Nigeria could mask present deficiencies.

    This Mascherano, now winding down his days in the Chinese Super League with Hebei China Fortune, cannot go toe-to-toe with France’s Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.

    Argentina simply do not have a replacement as Lucas Biglia is no alternative. Mascherano best roll back the years.

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