Nigeria 1 - 2 Argentina: Marcus Rojo the unlikely hero

Marcus Rojo provides Argentina with a late winner to secure second place in Group D. Picture: Getty.

The Manchester United defender volleyed home Gabriel Mercardo’s right-wing cross four minutes from time to book a knock-out clash against France.

Nigeria had been on the verge of progressing instead after Victor Moses’ penalty early in the second half had cancelled out Lionel Messi’s first goal of the tournament.

In the face of mounting criticism due to his nation being on the brink of elimination, Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli made five changes.

Willy Caballero, whose blunder gifted Croatia their opening goal in the 3-0 loss last week, and Sergio Aguero were two of the fall guys while Rojo, Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega were among those brought in.

Banega, making his first start in Russia, produced the assist for Messi’s 14th-minute opener. The Sevilla midfielder lofted a beautiful pass over Kenneth Omeruo, though from there it was all Messi. He cushioned the ball on his thigh and created space with a deft left-footed touch before firing into the far corner with his right.

It sent the crowd, including Diego Maradona, into delirium and at that point the two-time winners were heading through thanks to Messi’s magic.

The Barcelona forward looked in the mood, with a terrific pass into Gonzalo Higuain’s path deserving more than the striker’s weak attempted chip over Francis Uzoho. Messi looked capable of doing it by himself regardless and he almost scored again with a free-kick that Uzoho’s fingertips pushed on to the post.

Sampaoli’s side were 45 minutes from progression but they were back on the verge of going out shortly after the interval when, defending a corner, Javier Mascherano, with both of his hands on Leon Balogun at the near post, was adjudged to have hauled his man down.

Moses confidently sent Argentina’s debutant goalkeeper Franco Armani the wrong way and Nigeria were back in pole position for the group’s runners-up berth.

A second Nigeria goal would have killed off Argentina’s hopes and ex-Watford striker Odion Ighalo spurned a glorious opportunity when volleying wide.

The Super Eagles wanted a spot-kick for a handball against Rojo prior to the ball dropping to Igahlo, and though VAR looked at the incident again, no penalty was given as the defender headed against his arm.

Ighalo saw another effort saved by Armani and Oghenekaro Etebo’s free-kick went into the side netting as Nigeria missed chances to seal their progression.

It proved costly as Rojo won it four minutes from time. When Mercardo’s cross came into the box, all of Argentina rejoiced as Rojo steered a first-time finish into the corner.