This year's World Cup is very different for many reasons. But perhaps, the most glaring one is the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). For long, contentious decisions in the most watched sport in the world has affected the outcome of several matches. One of the most controversial is the "Hand of God" incident. In what was one of the most infamous incidents of World Cup history, Argentina's Diego Maradona used his hand to score when jumping for the ball with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in the 1986 quarter-finals in Mexico City.

The officials did not spot the offence and the goal was given, with Maradona later telling reporters he was helped by the "Hand of God".

This led to calls for an independent review of decisions before the centre referee took a final decision. But has it really been worth the wait?

The truth is, several decisions in this World Cup have been correctly decided by the VAR. Against Iceland, a lot of Nigerians watching that match hoped that the centre referee would stand by his decision not to award the penalty against Nigeria. The second he decided to consult the VAR, we all knew that decision will change.

But how about the Morocco Vs. Spain and Iran Vs. Portugal games? Did the VAR pass its auditions? With Portugal and Spain's qualification not yet assured, the outcome of both matches was very important. So how did the referee fail to spot what seemed like an offside goal (the one that made it 2-2) even after reviewing it on VAR? Or how did the referee fail to award C. Ronaldo a red card even after the lengthy review? Or the contentious decisions that characterized the match?

For some reasons, it seemed the odds were deliberately stacked against Iran and Morocco yesterday, being the relatively smaller teams.

With most international pundits and even the international media already writing off Nigeria, the Super Eagles need to be very careful in how they approach today's final game. If anything, yesterday's matches showed that when the occasion is grand, the smaller teams suffer from the decisions of the VAR, compared to the big teams.

Ok

I think you do have a point there, mate, owing to the premise about Nigeria and the likes of Iran and Morocco do not fit in the mould of big teams. We had such odds stack against us when we met Brazil and Argentina. What was meant to be an all out south American final in the 1996 Olympics was gate crashed and won by Nigeria.

In reality, we enter this fixture as the underdog. Stats do not speak in our favor. We have never won a world game against Argentina at four attempts. So it was too till Mexico stun Germany in this Fifa mundial. In fact for seven consecutive world cup finals Germany had not struggled to score in the first twenty minutes and had to fight to the death to have a chance to qualify with a last grasp win over Sweden. A team, they never lost to and was deemed a bonus points.

This world have had it's share of upsets and I dare say our boys would write their names in the annals of upsets today. It's up to them to at least avoid defeat and scale to the round of sixteen.

I smell red card or penalty or both, yes we need to be resolute and resilient but most importantly me need thorough discipline.

Anyway, who are you gunning for?

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Check this VAR play

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkfIs3EBOuz/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1mlvlfziwtyhs

Drop your comments, let's know the +ve impacts in this tournament

The ref against Portugal Vs Iran is FIFA agent, any other player in the world will get sent off for what Ronaldo did, the ref didnt need VAR in the first place then spent eternity looking at the screen only to give a yellow card, that doesn't make the stupid VAR fair because there is no equality and fairness in its usage. Then the penalty happen just 2 meters in front of the ref then he didn't award it, it took the people watching at VAR to inform him that's a clear penalty.

Pablo zabaleta was giving an interview on TV and he said he watched Argentina train and after training, Messi stayed behind practising free kicks and oddly without boots on. So they must know there are going to be lots of set pieces, England for example scored 6 goals from set pieces in two games so far.

Can't wait for this match

Correct Score:

Nigeria 1 : 4 Argentina


Everybody shouting may God help Nigeria, so God will neglect Argentina abi?

I don't share you view but they should be careful anyway

Nigeria dont need to be careful with the VAR for your information, instead Nigeria should be careful with FIFA cause it is bias to introduce a ref that has openly showered is likeness for messi..

i understand Nigeria wont rake in enough money as
the like of Argentina in the competition, so its all about the money money and money everywhere..

#SoarHighEagles

Guyz, Let's be frank with ourselves, FIFA will rather rob us of that 2nd round for Argentina. Let's be real with ourselves, Same scenario played out yesterday between Spain , morrocco match and Portugal with Iran. FIFA will rather opt to see Spain in round of 16 than seeing Iran in round of 16. They have a lot to gain now that Spain narrowly escaped.
Why not ask urself why UNA ALMIGHTY VAR no fit cancel out the offside that led to Spain equalizer. The more u open una eyes, the more we see things.
To all who cared to listen, Make una take your lunch before the match starts. just my advice.

Everything will work in our favor

The BALL
The REF
The VAR
Even Messi will play in our favour

Noted

Keep quiet

Iago Aspas was a pure goal.
It was tight though.

Spain would still have qualify even if they lost
Ronaldo should have been sent off btw

Aproko!!

I couldn't agree more.

We will be fine. Super Eagles defenders shouldn't make any silly mistakes like holding Argentina's players during corner kick.

yeah ooooo

One thing is certain. Super Eagles will defeat them!
We were scared of ICELAND some days ago and many concluded within themselves that ICELAND would beat us..... But you all know how it ended that day na.
Nigeria 1: ARGENTINA 0

No be lie

By fire by force,even if na Android referee made in Mars dem go use,we must win today by God's grace... Oh my dear Messi, my country over you anytime, anyday. ENYEAMA BE LIKE...

God with us!!!!!!! Nigeria is the winner

If they try any shit we shall storm that VAR room that only function against African teams

It will take a miracle for us to qualify. FIFA will do everything possible to get Argentina to the next round at the expense of Nigeria. .

The point of VAR is to eliminate controversies, in reality it's increased them

I pray this is not true but the I dreamt that Argentina beat Nigeria 3-1

Sensible analysis

let Argentina be careful