Nigeria Argentina match preview

This is definitely one of more interesting matches of the third round given that both Nigeria and Argentina still have chance to reach the last 16. The Nigerians are in better position as before the last round they have two points more than Argentina and Iceland. On the other hand, leading Croatia has already qualified for the knockout phase having won six points, and a lot in this group will depend of outcome of their match with Iceland, especially if Nigeria manages to win Argentina. The Nigerians achieved exactly that in their last year’s friendly played in Krasnodar, while the Argentinians had and upper hand in the group phase of the World Cup in Brazil four years ago.

Nigeria

Despite the defeat the Nigerians had managed to reach the knockout phase later on, while right now they have chance to revenge in full to the Argentinians, especially as if they win they would end up in the last 16 of the World Cup in Russia. True, to win the group they need to Croatia losses to Iceland by high goal difference, and that is hard to expect especially as Nigeria discovered all their weaknesses recently when it won them by 2-0 thanks to fleet-footed Musa. Before that Nigeria lost by the same result to Croatia, and it was very important for the Nigerian players to fully recover in match with Iceland, meaning they will face not so impressive Argentinians in the best possible mood.

Still, in Nigeria’s team are very much aware that Messi and his compatriots will not surrender in advance, and that they will have in fact a very difficult job in the last match of the group phase, especially as only victory suits the Argentinians. On the other hand, if they drew the Nigerians would be the closest to reach the round of 16, given that is hard to expect that Iceland can win the second match in the group against very good Croats by goal difference of two or three goals. Besides, we all know that the Nigerians prefer situation when their opponent is forced to attack as it opens them more space for fast counter-attack, which is their speciality. Let’s add that against Argentina we expect to see the same line-up that faced Iceland.

Probable lineups Nigeria: Uzoho – Omeruo, Troost-Ekong, Balogun – Moses, Etebo, Mikel, Ndidi, Ebuehi – Musa, Iheanacho

Argentina

Vice-champions of the world are on verge of elimination after two rounds of the group phase of World Cup in Russia, given that at the moment they have just one point, which was won in the first match with debutant Iceland. In that match the Argentinians had chance to win since their best player Messi had missed the penalty when the result read 1-1, but in the second round when they faced Croatia the Argentinians had absolutely no chance and were defeated by sound 3-0. Culprit for the shocking defeat is their manager Sampaoli, who despite many warnings continued to play with the team’s tactical set-up and who instructed player to face Croatia in rarely used formation 3-4-2-1.

Still, we need to say that the Croats played one of their best matches ever at any World Cup. They had limited the Argentinians in almost all segments of the game. It sounds surreal that Messi had just one attempt on goal in the entire match. Thanks to Nigeria’s victory over Iceland the Argentinians still have chance to reach the last 16 if they win Nigeria, but at the same time the Icelanders mustn’t win Croatia or at least they mustn’t with the same or better goal difference than Argentina, as Iceland currently had a bit better goal difference. Let’s add that Sampaoli was forced to make number of changes in the starting line-up after dreadful performances against Croatia and it is also expect that Argentina returns to its standard formation 4-3-3.

Probable lineups Argentina: Armani – Mercado, Otamendi, Fazio, Ansaldi – Biglia, Mascherano, Banega – Messi, Higuain, di Maria

Verdict:

Although they seemed lost against Croatia we expect from vice-champions of the world to play much better against Nigeria, especially as only victory leaves them in the race for the round of 16.

Pick: Argentina wins 1.54 - 54/100 @1XBet


01/04/2025

Empoli - Bologna

Empoli Bologna goals and highlights
0:3

01/04/2025

Servette - Young Boys

Servette Young Boys goals and highlights
0:1

01/04/2025

Yverdon - Lugano

Yverdon Lugano goals and highlights
0:2

01/04/2025

Örebro - Västeras

Örebro Västeras goals and highlights
0:2

01/04/2025

Raufoss - Moss

Raufoss Moss goals and highlights
3:2

01/04/2025

Apollon - Omonia

Apollon Omonia goals and highlights
3:1

31/03/2025

Mafra - Felgueiras

Mafra Felgueiras goals and highlights
1:0

31/03/2025

Celta Vigo - Las Palmas

Celta Vigo Las Palmas goals and highlights
1:1

31/03/2025

Lazio - Torino

Lazio Torino goals and highlights
1:1

31/03/2025

Cadiz - Eibar

Cadiz Eibar goals and highlights
0:0

31/03/2025

Et. Carouge - Nyonnais

Et. Carouge Nyonnais goals and highlights
2:1

31/03/2025

Jong PSV - Den Bosch

Jong PSV Den Bosch goals and highlights
2:4

31/03/2025

Jong AZ - TOP Oss

Jong AZ TOP Oss goals and highlights
1:1

31/03/2025

Jong Ajax - Volendam

Jong Ajax Volendam goals and highlights
0:2

31/03/2025

Xamax - Schaffhausen

Xamax Schaffhausen goals and highlights
6:2

31/03/2025

GAIS - AIK

GAIS AIK goals and highlights
0:1

31/03/2025

Kocaelispor - Sakaryaspor

Kocaelispor Sakaryaspor goals and highlights
3:1

31/03/2025

Eyupspor - Basaksehir

Eyupspor Basaksehir goals and highlights
1:3

31/03/2025

Värnamo IFK - Sirius

Värnamo IFK Sirius goals and highlights
1:2

31/03/2025

Oddevold - Umea FC

Oddevold Umea FC goals and highlights
1:0

31/03/2025

Zaglebie - Rakow

Zaglebie Rakow goals and highlights
0:2

31/03/2025

Odd - Skeid

Odd Skeid goals and highlights
2:1

31/03/2025

Aalesunds - Lillestrøm

Aalesunds Lillestrøm goals and highlights
2:2

31/03/2025

Start - Sogndal

Start Sogndal goals and highlights
2:1

31/03/2025

Stabaek - Hødd

Stabaek Hødd goals and highlights
1:1

31/03/2025

Ranheim - Lyn

Ranheim Lyn goals and highlights
0:3

31/03/2025

Kongsvinger - Asane

Kongsvinger Asane goals and highlights
1:1

31/03/2025

Egersund - Mjondalen IF

Egersund Mjondalen IF goals and highlights
3:2

31/03/2025

Helas Verona - Parma

Helas Verona Parma goals and highlights
0:0

31/03/2025

Gloria Buzau - Otelul

Gloria Buzau Otelul goals and highlights
0:2

31/03/2025

Tukums 2000 - Super Nova

Tukums 2000 Super Nova goals and highlights
2:2

31/03/2025

Erokspor - Ankaragucu

Erokspor Ankaragucu goals and highlights
3:1

31/03/2025

Santos Laguna - San Luis

Santos Laguna San Luis goals and highlights
2:3

30/03/2025

Moreirense - Guimaraes

Moreirense Guimaraes goals and highlights
2:2





Buy tickets to all of your favorite sports events.