For the umpteenth time, the Super Eagles will be playing Argentina at the Fifa World Cup.

Both teams were drawn in Group D of the soccer fiesta that will begin in June, 2018.

Since making their debut in 1994, the three time African champions have met the South Americans in all but one of their group stage outings.


Overall, the teams have meet each other eight times at the senior level. The odds favour Lionel Messi’s side. They have won 5, lost 2 and drawn 1.

Recently, Nigeria mauled the South Americans 2-4 in an international friendly in Russia.



USA 1994 (2-1)


Coming as African champions, the Super Eagles took on the Albiceleste at the Boston /Foxboro Stadium, 25 June, 1994.

They were in Group D with Greece and Bulgaria.

Samson Siasia gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 8th minute of the game.

However, Claudio Caniggia’s brace in the 21st and 28th minute condemned the Super Eagles to their first World Cup defeat.

Although Nigeria made it to the second round of the World Cup before bowing out.



Korea/Japan 2002 (1-0)


After reshuffling the team following a failed attempt at winning the African Cup of Nations, Nigeria were again paired in Group F alongside Argentina, Sweden and England.

In the opening game, a Gabriel Batistuta 63rd minute header gave the South American the win.

Nigeria later lost their second game 2-1 to Sweden before going for a goalless draw with the Three Lions of England.



South Africa 2010 (1-0)


Lars Largerback took the team to the first World Cup on African soil. They were again housed in Group B with Argentina.

Other teams in the group were South Korea and Greece.

The Eagles lost the match 1-0 courtesy of a Gabriel Heinze 6th minute header. They failed to make it to the second round having lost to Greece and played a 2-2 draw with South Korea.


Brazil 2014 (3-2)


Going into the competition as reigning African kings, Nigeria were once for the fourth time placed in the same group – Group F – with a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.

The group had debutants Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran in contention.

Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi gave Argentina the led in the 3rd minute before Ahmed Musa’s equalizer a minute later.

Messi struck again just before the end of the first half with Musa leveling the scoreline in the 47th minute.

Marcos Rojo then finished off the match for the South Americans in the 50th minute.



Russia 2018?


So, as the clock ticks faster for the football showpiece in Vladimir Putin’s country, will the Super Eagles get their revenge?

https://www.concisenews.global/news/nigeria-argentina-history-long-drawn-world-cup-rivalry/

Mynd44, Lala

Love affair.