Gabriel Heinze celebrates after goal against Nigeria (ZumaPress)

Argentina knew that they were taking their first step towards glory while Nigeria president, Goodluck Johnathan, appealed to millions of dollars offered up by a local entrepreneur in the event that the Super Eagles were to beat the Albiceleste.

There were several moments of anxiety for both sides.  But in the end Argentina showed an evolution that no one would have imagined six, seven months ago.    The South Americans showed their true potential as they dominated the Nigerians in convincing fashion by 1-0.

If there were any doubts as to how the Argentines would be affected after the 25-day training camp, they were erased in the first 15 minutes as they secured the fort with their possession and style.   The Albiceleste pressured time after time in that period.  But it was Hapoel Tel-Aviv man Vincent Enyeama answered the call time and time again.

Lionel Messi takes the ball and shoot to the far post but Enyeama send the ball out for t a corner.  That same play, Nigeria zone marking breaks down and Juan Sebastián Verón found Gabriel Heinze coming into the box and he scored with a spectacular header skimming over the head of a Nigerian defender on the same left side where Enyeama stopped Messi just seconds later.

 
Gabriel Heinze scores only goal of match (ZumaPress)

Diego Maradona, as discussed prior to the match, placed Lio Messi in the middle and that helped generate a clearer vision of the offense and was able to take over the baton as Juan Sebastían Verón struggled to get into the rhythm of the match early on.

"We won the match very well, but we wasted several opportunities.  We suffered in the end and not being able to score.  We missed several opportunities and it could have cost us as they could have equalized," said coach Diego Maradona. 

Messi was the most dynamic player on the field with out a doubt.  Javier Mascherano plugged the Nigerian attack while Verón had the ball in the middle.  That freed up Messi to play freer in front of him as he moved towards the left and darted towards the middle opening up space.

That assault last about 20 minutes and then Argentina clogged up the middle.  Nigeria had the ball in stretches but were absolutely unable to do anything of importance with it offensively.   

Super Eagles struggles

The first opportunity by the African side came in the 25th minute. Chinedu Obasi received the ball on the opposite side of the field.  He had some trouble collecting the ball and Jonás Gutiérrez and his shot went wide of Sergio Romero's goal.

Taye Taiwo would come closes in the second half after he strikes the ball and it comes up inches wide of Sergio Romero's goal.  The Super Eagles paid a dear price as Taiwo would leave after he

Other than those two instances, the Nigerians did little on offense.  The only threats were crosses into the box that either found the touchline on the other end or were cleared with a bit of difficulty by the AZ Alkmaar man.

There were some important question marks that emerged as both Ofafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie did not start as they offered Lagerback's team a significant change of pace that started to cause discomfort in the Argentine defensive third. 

Man of the match

Vincent Enyeama.  Although Argentina monopolized the ball and Nigeria offered little to no resistance, the score was not indicative of the domination by the South Americans.   Enyeama slammed the door on Messi several times, denying him a goal on five occasions at least.  Messi was indirectly responsible for the only score of the match.

Enyeama's save on him led to the corner that Heinze connected with in acrobatic fashion.  Messi helped Argentina score, but Enyeama gave Nigeria a puncher's chance throughout the 90 minutes.  He also stoned Gonzalo Higuaín twice.  

"It seemed like we didn't want to score.  We have the players that could have scored on several occasions.  But you have to give credit to (Enyeama) who played an absolutely phenomenal match," said Maradona.

For Argentina, they will now face Korea at Soccer City in Soweto with a chance to qualify for the second round.  The Reds defeated a very pallid Greek side 2-0.

Player ratings

Romero 5

Gutiérrez 5.5

Samuel 5.5

De Michelis 5

Heinze 6.5

Mascherano 6

Verón 4.5

Di María 4

Messi 7.5

Higuaín 4

Tevez 6

Rodríguez 5

Milito --

Enyeama  8.5

Yobo  4.5

Taiwo 4.5

Shittu 4

Ayegbeni 3.5

Kaita 3

Haruna 4

Obinna 4

Odiah  4

Martins 5.5

Odemwingie 5