Nigeria 1-2 Argentina

Banega was the key man here. Like a wire-ripped beyblade toy, always turning: turning on the ball, swiveling away from tackles, half-turning to catch his shadows, roaming across the midfield areas like a general in the first half. Where against Croatia and Iceland, the Argentine centre backs and Mascherano had pondered and lumbered, taking an age between each touch, now Banega was there a few yards ahead, finding space and demanding the ball. If the space wasn't there he'd be barking and pointing, telling those less capable how and where to shift the ball, trying to rattle the cage of that Nigerian defensive block, working gaps in the rails for himself and Messi to work in. The first half hour was the best Argentina have played all tournament and they were unlucky not to be at least two-goals up by the break.

Messi looked interested and free - finally relieved perhaps, to have some help out there, someone else on the pitch who understood how to work the ball forward in anything other than slow straight lines. Without the ball Argentina played with a serious anger, closing down anything that moved anywhere near their backline in twos and even threes and fours. Counter-pressing, don't they say? But this approach tired and Nigeria took control of the middle third of the match. Ighalo missed an absolute sitter to finish the tie off before the ball eventually fell to Rojo's winning boot.

Sampaoli's substitutions and selection still boggle. Higuain? Is there a single player who can claim to have wasted so many clear cut chances in so many vital games in a single career? Is this the same guy Juventus spent 80million on? Di Maria? Perez? Mascherano? Fucking Meza? Bizarre. It's easy to play Arrigo Sacchi with a pen n paper but that a man widely heralded in Europe as a tactical genius doesn't seem even slightly interested in trying to fit two of the world's best playmakers (Dybala) into the same side is a real, real shame.

Messi's goal though. Ludicrous goal. The pass from Banega, like a seven iron clipped firm. Messi. Messi peeling off the last man, the three touch one movement strike. The first touch. Like a pillow. Ball hangs in the air. Defender slows to snap. Second touch like a sting, snakebite, away, into the one inch of space a goal could come from. Beautiful. Pure art, and it's why I wanted Argentina to stay in this tournament more than anything and it's why I'll be cheering Messi on in every game to come from now.