Messi shines, Argentina beat Nigeria

JOHANNESBURG - Argentina lived up to their status as serious contenders for the 2010 World Cup title when they defeated African hopefuls Nigeria 1-0 Saturday in Diego Maradona’s successful return to football’s biggest stage, this time as a coach.

In a Group B encounter at Ellis Park Stadium, Gabriel Heinze scored the only goal of the game in the sixth minute for Argentina. The South Americans dominated much of the play but failed to grab a second goal and sweat out the tight victory.

Argentina are atop the group along with South Korea with three points while Nigeria and Greece have zero points after their first matches.

Nigeria hope to bounce back from the loss in their second group match against fellow opening match losers Greece. Argentina square off with South Korea, with both games scheduled for June 17.

Maradona returned to the World Cup for the first time since the 1994 finals in the US, where he played his final World Cup match — Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the second match of the first round.

That was the first of three encounters between the two sides, with Argentina beating Nigeria 1-0 in their first match of the 2002 World Cup. And by winning Saturday in South Africa, the South Americans improved to 3-0 all time against Nigeria in World Cup action.

Following the win at USA 1994, Maradona was unceremoniously expelled from the rest of the tournament for a drug offence. But the 49-year-old’s return Saturday was much more appealing, including a slick dark gray suit.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s Swedish coach Lars Lagerback - decked out in a Nigerian green track suit - were clearly missing the creative services of injured Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel. At the other end, Argentina’s shining star Lionel Messi offered football fans everything they were hoping from the Barcelona superstar - save for a goal to top it all off.

Much of that was thanks to Man of the Match Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama.

In front of a crowd of 56,000, the South American giants were dangerously close to grabbing the lead in their second push forward after four minutes. Messi streaked past the Nigerian interior defence and found an open Gonzalo Higuain. But the Real Madrid striker shot wide left from the edge of the box.

Maradona’s men marched forward again in the sixth minute and only a superb save by keeper Enyeama on Messi’s left foot shot from just outside the box kept the game scoreless.

That was shortlived as the Albiceste emphatically went ahead on the ensuing corner. As Juan Veron struck the corner from the right side, Argentine defender Heinze got away from his marker Victor Obinna for a powerful diving header from just left of the penalty spot. Nigerian defender Chidi Odiah on the line got his head on the ball but could not stop the goal - Heinze’s first World Cup goal and third for Argentina.

The Super Eagles struggled to convert the final pass on their attacks and really challenge the South American defence.

Higuain again had a superb opportunity in the 21st minute being fed by Carlos Tevez into the right side of the area. But Nigeria’s keeper from Hapoel Tel Aviv fended away Higuain’s attempt from seven yards.

Nigeria’s first chance came seven minutes later though Chinedu Obasi sent his left foot shot wide of the far right post.

The Argentines continued their march forward and nearly doubled their advantage eight minutes from time. Messi’s fine attempt towards the far left post sailed just wide though.

The teams were unchanged out of the locker room. And the direction of play remained the same as well, namely the Argentina attack towards Enyeama’s goal.

Messi’s deflection attempt of Veron’s cross four minutes after the re-start went just wide left.

Nigeria began to grab more of action around the hour mark but lacked the offensive touch to knot the game.

Maradona, however, looked on in disbelief as his men continually left chances unused, including Messi’s shot just inches left of the post on a four-on-two counter-attack at the 65-minute mark. And he was stopped from near range again by Enyeama with nine minutes remaining.

Argentina also appeared to have drawn a penalty shortly thereafter as Sani Kaita took down Maxi Rodriguez in the area. But German referee Wolfgang Stark did not blow his whistle.

Argentina fans were kept holding their breath and Kalu Uche attempt from 12 yards went just over the crossbar in the 82nd minute.

And Yakube Ayegbeni missed just high four minutes later as Nigeria smelled blood. But Argentina held on.