Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (L) controls a pass during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.
June 25, 2018
#WC2018: Argentina 1, Nigeria 0 at halftime
MOSCOW, Russia (AP) — Lionel Messi has given Argentina a 1-0 lead in its must-win World Cup match against Nigeria with his first goal of the competition.
Messi finished superbly in the 14th minute at St Petersburg stadium after latching onto midfielder Ever Banega’s astute pass from the halfway line over the top of Nigeria’s defence.
Messi cushioned the ball on his left thigh, took a touch to push the ball further inside the penalty area and then clipped a rasping shot with his right.
It was his 65th goal for Argentina.
