Greece Earns First Ever World Cup Win, 2-1 Over Nigeria

Goals by Dimitrios Salpingidis and Vasilis Torosidis have given Greece their first goals in five World Cup matches, with their 2-1 win over a 10-man Nigeria giving the Greeks a historic victory.

In their only other World Cup appearance, Greece went through the 1994 tournament without scoring a goal, losing all three matches. After losing to South Korea on Saturday, Greece entered Thursday’s match having gone four World Cup games without scoring a goal or earning a point.

A lay-off at the edge of the area from Kosta Katsouranis to Dimitrios Salpingidis hit midfielder Lukman Haruna and went into the Nigerian goal, evening their match with Greece at one just before half time.

The goal came in the 44th minute, 11 minutes after Greece went up a man with Sani Kieta’s ejection. After that incident and Otto Rehhagel’s substitution of forward Georgios Samaras for defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who was sitting on a card, Greece had pressed the Nigerian defense.

Nigeria midfielder Sani Kieta has left the pitch in disgrace, shirt pulled over his head after being shown red for kicking out at Vasilis Torosidis.

As a ball went out of bounds along Greece’s left flank, Kieta and Torosidis came together. As Torosidis turned and contentiously faced Kieta, the Nigerian midfielder kicked-out at the wing back, missing with a knee-high right foot. Kieta had also brought his hands neck-high to Torosidis in a shoving motion.

A foul on the attack’s left from Sokratis Papstathopoulos give Nigeria what looked like a low percentage, set piece opportunity, but when Kalu Uche’s kick caused confusion in Greek goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas, Nigeria had a 1-0, 15th minute lead.

The right footed ball from Uche, from about 35 yards out, hooked toward the far post as a Greek and Nigierian player elevated to win the ball. Tzorvas seemed to play for the eventual header instead of playing the ball, and when the service went over the crowd untouched, it was destined for the net. Kalu Ucke had scored Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament.

In Thursday’s match between Greece and Nigeria, the subtleties will come in the tweaks. Greece needs to use their two strong, central midfielders to take control of this match, while Nigeria needs to put their best players in better positions to succeed.

No huge tactical adjustments. No wholesale lineup changes. Just subtleties.