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WORLD CUP 2010: Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 - All is not quite what it seems for Diego Maradona
By Michael Walker Last updated at 8:32 AM on 14th June 2010
They can show all the slow-motions shots they want of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona embracing at the final whistle.
People can eulogise Messi 24 hours a day and remain fascinated by the cult of his national coach. It is all understandable but none of it can camouflage what was a half-cocked performance from one of the World Cup favourites at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Work to do: Argentina boss Diego Maradona will need his side to improve by the time they face South Korea
Nigeria scraped into this tournament, lost John Obi Mikel after that and their manager Lars Lagerback is on a five-month contract. The great Argentina edged by them.
Messi shimmered in the African sun and was denied a goal on enough occasions by Vincent Enyeama for the Nigerian goalkeeper to be the man of the match.
Messi's reward was a shout of "Leo!" from Maradona as soon as the manager entered the dressing room, then a papal kiss on the forehead from room-mate Juan Sebastien Veron.
There was a squeak of criticism from Maradona about his side's failure to convert opportunities into goals - 'I've never seen a game won on merit,' he said - yet aside from Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze, no other Argentina player deserved to bellow about their efforts.
Argentina may improve and they need to by Thursday when South Korea, faster and more cohesive than Nigeria, will offer a greater test.
Little and large: Argentina's coach Diego Maradona ccelebrates his team's win over Nigeria with Lionel Messi
In the opening 20 minutes Argentina, with Carlos Tevez joining Messi and Higuain up front, threatened to overwhelm the Nigerian defence.
And when a corner came in from Veron, Heinze powerfully headed in what we thought would be the first of several goals.
Enyeama then had to be sharp to prevent Messi scoring a quick second.
The impression is of unrelenting pressure but that is misleading.
While the failure to select Esteban Cambiasso for the squad was not highlighted due to Mascherano's authoritative display, Javier Zanetti's omission again felt ridiculous.
Zanetti's place at right back was taken by Jonas Gutierrez. He made his first error not long before Walter Samuel made one.
Both were in the first 10 minutes. Samuel steadied but Gutierrez did not. He was exposed not only by his unsuitability for the role but by Veron's failure to dig in at right midfield. Chinedu Obasi was being given space and time - so much so that in the 35th minute, with Obasi receiving treatment, Mascherano, Heinze and Gutierrez were engaged in an animated finger-pointing exchange.
Angel di Maria was also waving his arms in exasperation at his lack of involvement on the left.
It was part of a day when quite a lot was not as it seemed. As Mascherano said: 'The outcome was a lie.'
ARGENTINA (4-3-3): Romero 6; Gutierrez 4, Demichelis 5, Samuel 5, Heinze 6; Veron 5 (M Rodriguez 74min, 5) Mascherano 7, Di Maria 5 (Burdisso 86); Tevez 6, Messi 7, Higuain 5 (Milito 79). Booked: Gutierrez.
NIGERIA (4-3-3): Enyeama 8; Odiah 6, Yobo 6, Shittu 5, Taiwo 6 (Uche 75, 6); Kaita 4, Etuhu 5, Haruna 7; Ogbuke Obasi 5 (Odemwingie 60, 5), Yakubu 5, Obinna 5 (Martins 52, 6).
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
Man of the match: Lionel Messi.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wor...#ixzz0qoQJWBo0
By Michael Walker Last updated at 8:32 AM on 14th June 2010
They can show all the slow-motions shots they want of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona embracing at the final whistle.
People can eulogise Messi 24 hours a day and remain fascinated by the cult of his national coach. It is all understandable but none of it can camouflage what was a half-cocked performance from one of the World Cup favourites at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Work to do: Argentina boss Diego Maradona will need his side to improve by the time they face South KoreaNigeria scraped into this tournament, lost John Obi Mikel after that and their manager Lars Lagerback is on a five-month contract. The great Argentina edged by them.
Messi shimmered in the African sun and was denied a goal on enough occasions by Vincent Enyeama for the Nigerian goalkeeper to be the man of the match.
Messi's reward was a shout of "Leo!" from Maradona as soon as the manager entered the dressing room, then a papal kiss on the forehead from room-mate Juan Sebastien Veron.
There was a squeak of criticism from Maradona about his side's failure to convert opportunities into goals - 'I've never seen a game won on merit,' he said - yet aside from Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze, no other Argentina player deserved to bellow about their efforts.
Argentina may improve and they need to by Thursday when South Korea, faster and more cohesive than Nigeria, will offer a greater test.
Little and large: Argentina's coach Diego Maradona ccelebrates his team's win over Nigeria with Lionel MessiIn the opening 20 minutes Argentina, with Carlos Tevez joining Messi and Higuain up front, threatened to overwhelm the Nigerian defence.
And when a corner came in from Veron, Heinze powerfully headed in what we thought would be the first of several goals.
Enyeama then had to be sharp to prevent Messi scoring a quick second.
The impression is of unrelenting pressure but that is misleading.
While the failure to select Esteban Cambiasso for the squad was not highlighted due to Mascherano's authoritative display, Javier Zanetti's omission again felt ridiculous.
Zanetti's place at right back was taken by Jonas Gutierrez. He made his first error not long before Walter Samuel made one.
Both were in the first 10 minutes. Samuel steadied but Gutierrez did not. He was exposed not only by his unsuitability for the role but by Veron's failure to dig in at right midfield. Chinedu Obasi was being given space and time - so much so that in the 35th minute, with Obasi receiving treatment, Mascherano, Heinze and Gutierrez were engaged in an animated finger-pointing exchange.
Angel di Maria was also waving his arms in exasperation at his lack of involvement on the left.
It was part of a day when quite a lot was not as it seemed. As Mascherano said: 'The outcome was a lie.'
ARGENTINA (4-3-3): Romero 6; Gutierrez 4, Demichelis 5, Samuel 5, Heinze 6; Veron 5 (M Rodriguez 74min, 5) Mascherano 7, Di Maria 5 (Burdisso 86); Tevez 6, Messi 7, Higuain 5 (Milito 79). Booked: Gutierrez.
NIGERIA (4-3-3): Enyeama 8; Odiah 6, Yobo 6, Shittu 5, Taiwo 6 (Uche 75, 6); Kaita 4, Etuhu 5, Haruna 7; Ogbuke Obasi 5 (Odemwingie 60, 5), Yakubu 5, Obinna 5 (Martins 52, 6).
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
Man of the match: Lionel Messi.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wor...#ixzz0qoQJWBo0
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