Super Eagles sent packing in St. Petersburg as Argentina find late winner

Macdara Ferris reports from St. Petersburg

When the Super Eagles were drawn against Argentina in this World Cup, there was probably a collective groan across Nigeria.

The sides have met on four previous occasions in previous tournaments and Argentina had won each time.

However, it looked like Nigeria had torn up that script with a disciplined defensive display that looked like it had earned them the draw required to make it to the last 16.

That was until Marcos Rojo was on hand to score the winner three minutes from time. What made the goal more bitter for Nigeria was a VAR decision that went against them when the ball hit Rojo’s hand in the penalty area on 75 minutes.

But referee Cuneyt Cakir didn’t give them another spot kick to go with the one Victor Moses converted on 51 minutes, and that proved crucial to the game’s outcome.

“It is a big disappointment because my team gave their best,” said the Nigeria manger Gernot Rohr after a result that saw them eliminated from the tournament.

“We were very good in the second half. The team were a few minutes from qualifying. I’m proud of my players.”

As has become the norm, this match had penalties, VAR decisions and late goals and while a penalty decision went Nigeria’s way without the need for VAR earlier in the game, the Super Eagles felt they should have had a second penalty when the match was deadlocked at 1-1.

“This game was a story of penalties,” said Rohr.

“I thought it was a handball (with Rojo) but it is difficult for the referee. It isn’t easy. We could have scored a goal with our free kick. It is a few centimeters that decide sometimes if you win or lose.”

His captain John Obi Mikel, sitting beside him at the post-match press conference, echoed those thoughts on the penalty decision.

“I don’t know why it was not a penalty,” said the Nigerian captain.

“It was a clear handball. This was worse than the one in the Portugal game. Maybe the ref gave the first penalty and didn’t want to give the second one. He looked at the VAR. I don’t understand.

“He said it hit his hand but it wasn’t a penalty. We did everything we could especially in the second half but it just wasn’t to be.”

FIFA World Cup 2018 Report: Nigeria 1 - 2 Argentina https://t.co/yKQmKZPhWbpic.twitter.com/4ZIli6zPyw

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The Saint Petersburg stadium was packed with Argentinian fans who kept their vocal support going right to the end, even when the result looked like it was drifting away from them.

Gernard Rohr said that it felt like his team were “playing away” but ultimately that the sheer caliber of Argentinian players was the difference in the end.

“In the end Argentina were pushing, pushing, pushing. It is difficult when you have big players who play with the biggest clubs and in the Champions League level.

“We are young team with one or two experienced players. We didn’t have the luck today.

“Argentina can do very well in this World Cup. They will be a very difficult opponent for France as they have one of the best players in the world and have players with many big clubs.”