Head coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has revealed why they were defeated by Argentina in the final Group F game played at Porto Alegre in Brazil today, 25 June, 2014.
Nigeria qualified for the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup despite falling to a 3-2 defeat to Argentina.
Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi was at his brilliant best at the Estadio Beira-Rio on following up a stunning half-volleyed goal, which he scored in the third minute, with a superb free-kick on 45 minutes, as he tallied two goals.
His efforts, though, were twice cancelled out by the equally impressive Ahmed Musa as the Eagles put in a spirited display.
Musa scored the first when he picked up the ball on the left flank, and cut inside Zabaleta before expertly bending a curling effort beyond Sergio Romero who was in goal for the South Americans.
And he score the second to make it 2-2 just after resumption when he ran into a huge gap between the Argentina centre-backs and slotted past Romero, having been picked out by Emmanuel Emenike.
The Nigerians eventually succumbed as Marcos Rojo's unorthodox finish five minutes after half-time ensured Argentina went through with a maximum haul of nine points.
Speaking to newsmen on the defeat after the match, Keshi said: " I think the boys gave too much respect to our opponents especially in the first half."
Messi puts Argentina ahead of Nigeria
When asked on the area he thinks work still need to be done before the African Champions's next match, Keshi said: " It is the same question you guys asked me every time and I keep telling you we would continue to work on every department of the team"
Nigeria look likely to face France in the last 16, with Argentina on course to tackle Switzerland or Ecuador - with Group E set to be concluded later on Wednesday.
* Musa curled in Nigeria's first goal
Meanwhile, Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Iran 3-1 in Salvador to record their first World Cup win and deny the West Asians any chance of reaching the knockout stage.
FIFA also announced Messi as the man of the match of the encounter between Nigeria and Argentina.
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