A dominant Argentina missed several chances as they began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Saturday.
Defender Gabriel Heinze headed in the only goal in the early stages of the Group B encounter, but star man Lionel Messi was rarely out of the spotlight as he created a host of chances for himself and others.
There were no more goals though for Diego Maradona’s men, who nevertheless will be happy to have started with three points as they bid to justify the faith of those who have backed them to go all the way in South Africa.
Starting with a front three of Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, Maradona’s men went at their African opponents from the outset, the Barcelona genius key in nearly all their moves.
Just four minutes had elapsed when Messi weaved his way past three Nigerian defenders at ease and crossed for Higuain, but the Real Madrid man side-footed wide from six yards when it would have been easier to score. Messi then drew a fine save from goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama – who would be very busy – with a 20-yard effort that was tipped behind for a corner.
And from that corner the lead was secured. Juan Sebastien Veron whipped in the set-piece and fellow former Manchester United man Heinze was more aware than any of the Nigerian defenders as his diving header beat Enyeama for a merited lead.
The Nigerian stopper did not stay down to lick his wounds though and made two more solid saves in the early stages, first stopping a 20-yard effort from the mercurial Messi and then denying Higuan after racing from his line.
Nigerian attacks were rare but Chinedu Obasi did manage to drag a shot wide, while Sani Kaita volleyed offt arget after a spell of pressure against the run of play.
The South Americans were never really not in the ascendency though and Enyeama was again stretched to the limit to keep out a super curling effort from Messi from the right of the area – that after Messi played a one-two with Angel di Maria from a free-kick.
Veron sent one more free-kick over the crossbar as Argentina headed in at half-time with just a 1-0 lead, one that could have been much more but they had impressed with the front three really dragging the Nigerian defenders all over the place and Veron showing a mature technical brain in the middle of the park.
It hardly needs to be said that they came out looking for more goals on the restart with Veron again showing class after collecting the ball on the right from Messi, then picking the Barca man out with a low cross but he could only clip it wide.
Marseille full back Taye Taiwo was one of the better players on show for Nigeria and he tried to get his side on terms but a brilliant cross from the left flank was ignored by his pals.
Maradona’s men continued to create. Joseph Yobo had to be quick to whip the ball from the feet of Higuain after Messi had sent him clean through and Tevez then marauded forward and set up Messi, who groaned as he again missed the target. Enyeama then denied Higuain again, while Kaita sent another long-ranger over for the Nigerians.
For all their dominance, the Argentines knew that as long as the game stayed at 1-0 they were leaving the door open to be sucker-punched. However two appalling touches from Peter Odemwingie, when he had a good run at Martin Demichelis, summed up much of their potential. Not long after though Taiwo was just wide with a left-foot shot after a run at the Argentine’s back line.
Argentina continued to miss the target with a Higuain shot diverted over, a Messi free sailing too high, and then Messi being denied once more by Enyeama after collecting a sublime through-ball right through the centre of the Nigerian defence.
Minutes later, Nigeria sub Kala Uche had a glorious chance to subdue the cheering Argentine fans as he got on the end of a cross from Aiyegbini Yakubu from the right. However, he blazed his shot over from ten yards. Yakubu, himself, was also wasteful with another effort soon after as the final whistle neared.
Messi had one last chance to put his name on the scoresheet after a one-two with sub Diego Militoo, but failed to take it as Kaita blocked his shot.
He can still be happy with his workload though and, while Argentina will need to take the chances they missed in this game when they take on better opposition, Maradona can also smile with a win in the bag.