Gabriel Heinze’s seventh minute header is all that separates Argentina and Nigeria on the scoresheet, though Argentina has been clearly the superior side, with Lionel Messi generating numerous scoring chances for the Group B favorites.
World Cup 2010: Halftime At Ellis Park Sees Argentina Up 1-0 Over Nigeria
Heinze converted a corner from Juan Sebastián Verón to put Diego Maradona’s side up 1-0, after which Argentina continued to generate chances against an ineffective Nigeria defense.
Lionel Messi, in particular, was given multiple chances from just outside the area, going close twice on four shots. Minutes before the Heinze goal, Messi had forces a diving safe from Vincent Enyeama to keep the match scoreless.
Nigeria has been able to create some half-chances, mostly down their left side, where Argentine right back, normal midfielder, Jonas Gutierrez got the start instead of Nicolás Otamendi. Chiendu Obasi has been able to beat Gutierrez multiple times but has been unable to connect with Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the middle.
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