Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, gets the ball past Nigeria's Danny Shittu, left, during the <font color="red">World</font> <font color="red">Cup</font>group B soccer match between Argentina and Nigeria at Ellis ParkStadium in Johannesburg, South Africa today. (Photo: AP)<br>
Heinze gives Argentina nervous win over Nigeria
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Argentina opened its World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Nigeria today, clinging nervously to an early goal from Gabriel Heinze after failing to convert a number of clear opportunities.
Heinze scored with a diving header in the sixth minute after taking advantage of slack marking to power in a header from 12 yards from Juan Sebastian Veron’s corner.
The Nigerians boasted a clear height advantage, but struggled for much of the match to contain diminutive Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who tormented them with his piercing movement.
Striker Gonzalo Higuain failed to convert three good chances, including what seemed a certain goal in the fourth minute. Messi, too, came agonisingly close on several occasions.
