Sampaoli hails his rebel Argentina players

Macdara Ferris reports from St. Peterburg

Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli commended the heart of his players who dug deep to beat Nigeria. He called them ‘true rebels’ for getting a late winner in St. Petersburg on Tuesday evening, a victory that sends them into the knock out stages at the expense of Nigeria.

Sampaoli had made five changes from the team who lost to Croatia. Uncapped goalkeeper Franco Armani came in and did all that was asked of him but the best change Sampaoli made was ensuring that his players supplied Lionel Messi the ball.

Ahead of the game the coach had said against Croatia it has been a mistake that the midfield didn't supply Messi the ball but praised their contribution this time around.

That allowed the maestro to influence the match which Messi did with a sublime early goal in the game, and with a free kick that clipped the frame of the Nigeria goal later in the opening half.

“Our players played with their hearts,” said Sampaoli after the game. “They are true rebels. They had the necessary strength to fight for opportunities till the very last minute. We made many changes, trying to create goal opportunities. 

“A coach who trains Leo knows that everybody surrounding him needs to make him feel secure. If we can pass to Leo, he can create opportunities. We have the best player in the world and the others need to benefit from that.

“Messi, every time he plays, he shows that he is a fantastic player and is above everyone else but he needs support from his teammates. 

“The most important thing about Leo is his human side. He is a person who feels, who cries, he sufferers and he is happy when Argentina win. I’ve seen him happy and sad. 

“Many people say that he doesn’t enjoy playing for Argentina but that is not true. You saw he loves playing. When Leo came and hugged me at the end I felt very proud as he knows that I’m passionate. He knows we have this common dream.”

Argentina had been pegged back by Nigeria’s 56^thminute penalty after which Sampaoli said his team were “nervous” but they were driven on by huge vocal Argentinian support in the St. Petersburg stadium. 

While Gonzalo Higuain went close towards the end of the game, it was Marcos Rojo’s crisp volleyed finish three minutes from time that got Argentina the win to see them home as runners up in Group D with a last 16 game against France to come in Kazan.

“We had the feeling we were playing at home in Argentina and they pushed us forward. The most important thing this evening is that the players were very brave and that courage made the second goal possible.”

Relief for Messi as Rojo goal sends Argentina into last 16 - Messi post-match reaction https://t.co/nTTlneLdSupic.twitter.com/iQFI14Ydb2

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