Football World Cup 2018: Argentina at the last minute into the round of 16

The Argentines started the way you would have wanted them to in the first games. Offensive, with a strong drive on the opponent's goal, with good double passing and passes into the depth. In the 14th minute, Lionel Messi was played a 50-meter direct pass by Banega in the 16. With a perfect ball reception and irresistible drive, Argentina's superstar converted this chance to 1:0. Argentina continued to play very pressured and looked for the equalizer, which led to a shot against the post in the 34th minute, after a free kick by Messi.

In the second half, the Nigerians got into the game better and in the 49th minute they were lucky to get a penalty kick, which Viktor Moses converted to equalize 1-1. The South Americans seemed a bit disturbed after that, they didn't play as confidently as in the first half and many mistakes crept in. The game turned into a hectic back and forth.

In the 76th minute, Argentina was lucky because the referee did not consider the Argentine defender's touch in his own penalty area as intentional and did not whistle a penalty kick. In turn, Gonzalo Higuain missed a scoring chance in the 80th minute after a successful pass in the 16 space. Three minutes later, Nigeria's number 9 was all alone in front of Argentina's keeper, but could not convert this chance to score the opening goal.

Time was running out for the South Americans and they had to increase the pressure again if they wanted to make it to the round of 16. The very next Argentine attack in the 86th minute, Mercado crossed into the 16 and the defender Marcos Rojo shot the ball directly into the goal and relieved his comrades from the pressure and saved the South Americans from the shame of being eliminated in the preliminary round. After that, almost the entire stadium went wild.

Of course, it was also the parallel match and the third victory of the Croats, this time over the Icelanders, which allowed the Argentines to enter the round of 16. The Icelanders played very offensive and created many chances, but they lacked the necessary finishing luck to win the match and get the points to qualify themselves for the finals.