Match ends, Nigeria 2, Argentina 3.
NigeriaNigeria2ArgentinaArgentina3
Argentina and Nigeria both qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup despite two Lionel Messi goals condemning the African side to a 3-2 defeat in their final group game.
The Barcelona forward netted a fierce opener, but Ahmed Musa equalised within 80 seconds with a curling finish.
Messi made it 2-1 before the break with a 25-yard free-kick, but Musa grabbed his second after bursting through.
Marcos Rojo scored Argentina's winner, knocking in a corner with a knee.
The result means Argentina finish top of Group F with three wins from three games, while Nigeria qualify in second with four points after Iran failed to defeat Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Nigeria will face France in the last 16 in Brasilia next Monday, while Argentina take on Switzerland a day later in Sao Paulo.
They progressed after another goal-laden World Cup match.
It only took three minutes for the deadlock to be broken as Messi smashed home after Angel Di Maria's effort came off a post.
The celebrations had barely died down when Nigeria levelled. Midfielder Michel Babatunde - who was later stretchered off with a wrist injury - fed the ball into the left side of the area for Musa, who shifted to his right before curling in.
It was the first time in World Cup history that two opposing teams had both scored inside the first five minutes.
The forwards on show continued to expose the fragility of both defences, but it was not until stoppage time in the first half that the next goal arrived.
Messi, who moments earlier drew an exceptional save from Vincent Enyeama with a free-kick, struck a set-piece over the wall and beyond the reach of the Lille goalkeeper.
It was the 27-year-old's fourth goal in three matches at Brazil 2014, having scored just once in his first eight World Cup appearances.
Nigeria knew Bosnia-Hercegovina had taken an early lead against Iran, the African team's rivals for qualification, but they did not sit back and were level again within two minutes of the restart.
Musa was the goalscorer again, the CSKA Moscow forward playing a one-two Emmanuel Emenike before slotting the ball past Sergio Romero.
Argentina pressed once more, with Di Maria twice forcing Enyeama to make good stops. But the Nigeria goalkeeper was beaten when defender Rojo used his knee to convert a corner from the left.
A desperate Di Maria was thwarted again by Enyeama in the closing moments, as the match ended in the same thrilling manner in which it began.
Line-ups
Nigeria
- 1Enyeama
- 13OshaniwaBooked at 51mins
- 22OmeruoBooked at 48mins
- 2Yobo
- 5Ambrose
- 10Mikel
- 18BabatundeSubstituted forUcheboat 66'minutes
- 17Onazi
- 7Musa
- 8OdemwingieSubstituted forNwoforat 80'minutes
- 9Emenike
Substitutes
- 3Uzoenyi
- 4Gabriel
- 6Egwuekwe
- 12Odunlami
- 14Oboabona
- 15Azeez
- 16Ejide
- 19Nwofor
- 20Uchebo
- 21Agbim
- 23Ameobi
Argentina
- 1Romero
- 16Rojo
- 2Garay
- 17Fernández
- 4Zabaleta
- 14Mascherano
- 5Gago
- 10MessiSubstituted forÁlvarezat 63'minutes
- 7Di María
- 9HiguaínSubstituted forBigliaat 90+1'minutes
- 20AgüeroSubstituted forLavezziat 38'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Campagnaro
- 6Biglia
- 8Pérez
- 11Rodríguez
- 12Orión
- 13Fernández
- 15Demichelis
- 18Palacio
- 19Álvarez
- 21Andujar
- 22Lavezzi
- 23Basanta
- Referee:
- Nicola Rizzoli
- Attendance:
- 43,285
Match Stats
Home TeamNigeriaAway TeamArgentina
- Possession
- Home39%
- Away61%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away18
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away13
- Corners
- Home4
- Away12
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Nigeria 2, Argentina 3.
Post update
Ricardo Álvarez (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Ogenyi Onazi (Nigeria).
Post update
Foul by Ezequiel Lavezzi (Argentina).
Post update
Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Argentina. Lucas Biglia replaces Gonzalo Higuaín.
Post update
Delay in match Juwon Oshaniwa (Nigeria) because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt saved. Javier Mascherano (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Fernando Gago.
Post update
Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Ezequiel Garay.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Efe Ambrose (Nigeria) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ogenyi Onazi.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ángel Di María (Argentina) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Gonzalo Higuaín with a through ball.
Post update
Attempt missed. Emmanuel Emenike (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by John Obi Mikel.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ogenyi Onazi (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Michael Uchebo (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Uche Nwofor.
Post update
Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Federico Fernández.
Post update
Foul by Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina).
Post update
Efe Ambrose (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Nigeria. Uche Nwofor replaces Peter Odemwingie.
