Lionel Messi expressed huge relief at seeing Argentina advance to the Last 16 thanks to Marcos Rojo’s late winner against Nigeria. The two-time champions were less than five minutes away from elimination when Manchester United defender Rojo volleyed home Gabriel Mercado’s cross for a 2-1 win. Having drawn with Iceland and been comprehensively beaten by 0-3 Croatia, Argentina were in must-win territory and had been on course for an early exit when Victor Moses’ penalty cancelled out Messi’s brilliant opener. However, Rojo’s volley spared them the blues and booked a clash with France next up.'

"We have suffered a lot because it was a difficult situation," Messi said. "There was a lot at stake and of course it was a huge relief for all of us. “It was a difficult match because of the results before and many other things that have been said. We knew it was going to be difficult but fortunately we have achieved our aim. We didn’t think that we were going to suffer as much as we have. We were quite confident that we would be able to go through and fortunately it became true," he added.