Full time: Nigeria 2-3 Argentina The referee blows his final whistle, Nigeria are through to the last 16 90+1 The referee adds four minutes of stoppage time. 90' The final substitution for Argentina. Striker Gonzalo Higuain is replaced with Lucas Biglia. 87' Ambrose hits the side netting with a deflected shot from inside the area. What a thrilling, end-to-end clash. 85' Enyeama blocks another powerful Di Maria shot on the break. 83' Emenike lets fly from distance! His shot narrowly misses the target. 83' Bosnia are leading 3-1 against Iran. It's almost over, Nigeria are in the last 16 for the first time since 1998. 80' A substitution for Nigeria. Peter Odemwingie is replaced with Uche Nwofor. 80' Alvarez goes close for Argentina! He towers unmarked to send a far-post header just wide of the post. 79' Musa has a chance to score the equaliser! But his attempt to cut inside Zabaleta is denied by the Manchester City defender. 78' Eneayama steals the limelight tonight. He blocks a close-range effort from Lavezzi after the latter connects with a chipped pass from Di Maria. 75' Fifteen minutes remaining before the end. Nigeria will join Argentina in the last 16 barring any remarkable comeback from Iran against Bosnia. 74' At the other end, the impressive Ahmed Musa connects with a cross from the right but skies his shot high over. 72' Ezequiel Lavezzi breaks down the left but his low cross across the area goes begging. 72' The efforts they produced so far look to have taken their toll on their energy. 68' Both sides ease off a bit. 65' Nigeria's Michel Babatunde looks to have broken his arm after it is struck by a shot from Ahmed Musa. He is replaced with Michael Uchebo. 63' Argentina's hero Messi is replaced with Ricardo Alvarez. He receives a standing ovation as he walks off the pitch. 62' Nigeria are piling on pressure now. They are in a comfortable position because Bosnia are leading 2-0 against Iran. 59' Messi wastes the chance to complete his hat-trick! His sliding close-range effort from a Rojo centre goes just wide. 57' Argentina's attacking trio produce their best display in three group-stage matches. Some neat combinations between Messi, Higuain and Lavezzi cause constant menace to the under-pressure Nigerian defence. 55' Eneayama comes to Nigeria's rescue again! He rushes out in a timely manner to thwart Higuain, who races clear after a threaded pass from the dazzling Messi. 52' This is definitely one of the most exciting games at this World Cup. 50' Argentina's left-back Rojo leaps unmarked to knee a corner into the back of the net. ## 50' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA!! 50' It's the impressive Eneayama again! He tips over a powerful Di Maria shot. 48' Ahmed Musa scores his second of the night to restore parity! The overlapping forward exchanges passes with Emenike and nip in between two markers to break clear and beat Argentina keeper Sergio Romero at his near post. ## 47' GOAL FOR NIGERIA!! 47' Despite falling behind, Nigeria are lucky that Iran are 1-0 behind against Bosnia in the other group match. Iran should beat Bosnia to stand a chance of reaching the last 16. The second half is underway The referee blows his halftime whistle 45+1' This time Eneayama is powerless. He is left stranded as Messi's curling free-kick sails over the wall and into the corner of the net. ## 45' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA!! 45' The referee adds two minutes of stoppage time. 44' Eneayama pulls off another impressive save to block a curling free-kick from Messi, which looked on its way to the top corner. 42' Nigeria are holding firm in the face of sustained pressure from Argentina. 40' Eneayama is Nigeria's first-half hero. He saved many shots and collected many dangerous crosses. 38' Argentina are forced to make unscripted substitution. Striker Aguero is replaced with Ezequiel Lavezzi after picking up an injury. 36' Emenike is fouled by Mascherano on the edge of the Argentinean area. From the ensuing free-kick, 34' Di Maria is Argentina's liveliest performer with superb work rate in midfield. 32' Another shot from Sergio Aguero from inside the area is blocked by the Nigerian defence, which is given a torrid time tonight. 30' What a superb shot from Di Maria! His long-range and powerful low effort is superbly blocked by Eneayama, who dives to his left to thwart it. 29' If Nigeria avoid a defeat against Argentina, they will become the only African side not to suffer any losses in the group stage. 27' At the other end, Odemwingie blasts a powerful drive that goes over the bar. It's an end-to-end affair now. 25' Another chance for Argentina! Di Maria's low, angled shot from inside the area narrowly misses the target. 25' Nigeria mainly rely on the work of Peter Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike down the right flank, but they are far outnumbered by Argentina's backline. 22' Nigeria relatively improve. They gain more possession but they are struggling in the final third. 20' Messi's strike is his third World Cup goal at this tournament. It's also his 23rd goal in his last 23 matches for Argentina. 17' Nigeria keeper Enyeama collects a cross from Argentina, who are laying siege to the Super Eagles' area. 15' Argentina look livelier than the previous two games, in which they struggled to break down opposition. 13' Nigeria try to ease pressure on themselves by pushing forward, but Argentina look dangerous every time they approach the Super Eagles' area. 10' Argentina squander a golden opportunity to double their lead! Gonzalo Higuain breaks clear after a defence-splitting pass from Messi, takes the ball past Enyeama but his effort from a tight angle hits the side-netting. 9' The lively Di Maria lets fly from distance but his shot is parried by Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama. 7' An explosive start to an exciting clash. Both sides have a clear attacking intent. 4' Ahmed Musa levels the square in superb fashion! He cuts inside Pablo Zabaleta and sends a delightful curling shot into the far corner. What a strike! ## 4' GOAL FOR NIGERIA!! 3' Angel Di Maria is picked out unmarked by a deft pass on the left hand side of the penalty area. His shot comes back off the post and finds Lionel Messi, who blasts home into an empty net. ## 3' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA!! 2' It seems Nigeria will not adopt a cautious strategy against the mighty Argentina. The match is underway 18:50 Both sides step onto the pitch for the customary pre-match national anthems. 18:20 Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, on the other hand, replaced midfielder Victor Moses with striker Michael Babatunde. 18:20 Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged team. He will again rely on a strike force of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero, with Angel Di Maria just behind them. 18:05 Nigeria's starting line-up: Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo, Efe Ambrose, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa, Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike, John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Michel Babatunde. 18:00 Argentina's starting line-up: Sergio Romero, Ezequiel Garay, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano, Federico Fernandez, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero. 17:00 A draw would also suit the Nigerians, who would seal second place in the group and their first appearance in the knockout stages since 1998. They could also lose and still progress if Iran fails to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in a match being played at the same time. 16:30 As predicted in the run-up to the tournament, Messi has been the key to success for Argentina, which has already qualified for the second round. Currently top of Group F after two scrappy wins, it will stay there if it gets at least a point against Nigeria. 16:00 Porto Alegre is close to the Argentine border, and thousands have already made the crossing into Brazil, many sleeping in buses and vans ahead of Wednesday's game against Nigeria. Local media say more than 50,000 are expected, though less than half will have tickets, in what could be a test for security authorities. 15:30 The Lionel Messi show is coming to this southern Brazilian city, along with hordes of the Argentina striker's loyal fans. 15:00 Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup last 16 if they defeat or draw with Argentina; they will also go through if they lose and Iran fail to beat Bosnia on Wednesday. Stay tuned as match is due to start at 16:00 GMT Venue: Estadio Beira-RioPorto Alegre Officials: Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA) Assistants: Renato Faverani, Andrea Stefani Fourth official: Svein Moen (NOR) (For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/104726.aspx
