Veteran Gabriel's goal secures 1-0 win for Argentina even as coach Maradona rues host of missed chances in Group B opener against Nigeria; Messi off to mesmerising start
Veteran Gabriel's goal secures 1-0 win for Argentina even as coach Maradona rues host of missed chances in Group B opener against Nigeria; Messi off to mesmerising start
JOHANNESBURG: Lionel Messi conjured a spellbinding opening to the World Cup highlighting Argentina's 1-0 win over Nigeria in their Group B match at Ellis Park Stadium here on Saturday.
The world's best player was in irresistible form as the two-time World Champions dominated Nigeria, but only had Gabriel Heinze's sixth-minute goal to show for their superiority in an exhilarating spectacle before 55,686 noisy fans.
Messi taunted the Africans with his mesmerising skill and virtuosity and was denied his first goal at South Africa 2010 only by the acrobatic saves of Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
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| 6th minute: A Sebastian Veron cross finds Gabriel Heinze (right) on top of the striking circle and the veteran blasts home a diving header to give Argentina the match-winner at the Ellis Park Stadium in Jo'burg. pic/ Getty Images |
With coach Diego Maradona prowling his sideline technical area for the whole match, Argentina could not find the second killer goal as the uninhibited Nigerians came close to grabbing an equaliser several times in the second half.u00a0
It was a rasping Messi volley tipped over the bar by Enyeama that indirectly led to the only goal in the opening minutes. Sebastian Veron's corner picked up unmarked Heinze and the Marseille defender headed powerfully past Enyeama to send the large contingent of Argentine fans wild.
"When you don't kill things off in front of goal you can pay a heavy price. They almost got a drawu00a0-- we missed loads of chances," Maradona said, adding that "their 'keeper turned in an exceptional showing." Maradona further added:u00a0 "But the win means we can be calmu00a0-- we are in the right track."
How they faredLionel Messi: The pint-sized player was at his best dribbling past the Nigerians frequently only to be denied on at least four occasions by some fine 'keeping from Nigerian custodian Vincent Enyeama.
Gonzalo Higuain: The Argentine striker was time and again set up beautifully by Messi in front of the Nigerian goal but failed to convert.
Vincent Enyeama: The Nigerian 'keeper thwarted Argentine ace Messi on a number of occasions, once even from point-blank range. Had it not been for Enyeama's heroics, Messi would have scored a hat-trick at least, if not more.
What they said
They almost got a draw. We missed loads of chances--u00a0Argentina coach Diego MaradonaI'm very impressed with our players but very disappointed about the result--u00a0Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback
