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Argentina Vs. Nigeria World Cup 2010 Preview: Is Nigeria The Perfect Starting Opponent For Argentina?

Jun 12, 2010, 1:20 PM UTC

Argentina Vs. Nigeria: Gabriel Heinze Goal Carries Argentines To 1-0 Win

Argentina will be the first of international soccer's elites to take the pitch in South Africa when they face Nigeria in Saturday's second match, the Albiceleste's first chance to show they have left their qualifying struggles behind.

Those qualifying struggles are seven months gone, so it may not be fair to dwell upon them. Argentina has given us indications that they have moved forward; specifically, their March win in Germany. The 1-0 result was gift-wrapped by a German goalkeeping era, but it was still a win against a global power, on the road. It was also a result you could not see Argentina getting one year ago.

Around the same time, Nigeria was making a coaching change. Lars Lagerback, having failed to qualify Sweden for the World Cup, was brought in a mere four months before the finals. Now the Swede, who qualified his country for five straight major tournaments at the beginning of the decade, will try to rebuild Nigeria.

Rebuild may seem a harsh term to describe a team that finished third in January’s African Cup of Nations, but nearly missing out on World Cup qualification (only beat Tunisia by one point) and looking poor in the ACN hints Nigeria is in trouble. They have not creative players in midfield, and with Mikel John Obi out of the tournament with a knee injury, Nigeria’s midfield looks thinner, less versatile.

Nigeria's defense is normally one it can count on, with Joseph Yobo and Danny Shittu forming a reliable pair; however, against Argentina and the speed of Lionel Messi, the lumbering duo could be exploited by Juan Sebastián Verón. As Gonzalo Higuaín moved within the line, the likes of Messi, Ángel Di María and possibly Carlos Tévez or Sergio Aguero will have all the space they need to put up a big result.

Argentina may still have problems, but we may not be able to tell today. Nigeria will fare much better against South Korea and Greece - based on talent and match-ups. For Argentina, however, the Super Eagles may be the perfect opponent to face in your first match.