It will be D-day for both Argentina and Nigeria this Tuesday (26 June) when these two soccer-mad nations face off in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
In their final group D match, these two sides will basically square off in a proverbial ‘quarter-final’ clash with both teams desperate for a win to clinch qualification to the knockout stages.

Nigeria has a better chance of progressing, though, and might only need a draw to qualify, but a win will ensure progression. Argentina finds themselves in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the group, having suffered a shock draw against Iceland and a crushing defeat to Croatia. Argentina cannot afford to draw and will need to beat Nigeria by at least two goals while hoping that Iceland does not do the same in their match against Croatia.

The most interesting aspect of the Argentina and Nigeria clash is the FIFA World Cup rivalry between the two teams.
Amazingly, these two nations have faced off against each other in four previous World Cups since 1994. Argentina has won every single World Cup match against Nigeria but the Super Eagles won their most recent encounter 4–2 in an international friendly late last year.

One of Nigeria’s fondest football memories is their 3–2 win against Argentina in the gold medal match at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. They will hope for the same heroics from their current crop of stars. It will not be easy as Messi and company have a point to prove in the most important match of their lives.

Argentina can draw on the fact that they beat Nigeria 3–2 in the previous World Cup encounter, where Messi scored a brace with Marcus Rojo scoring the winner for the South Americans. Interestingly, Nigeria’s double- goal hero against Iceland, Ahmed Musa, also scored twice for the Nigerians in this match. Musa could well put his name on the score-sheet once again and the Nigerians will pin their hopes on the talented attacker.

Argentina’s hopes are on the front trio of Messi, Sergio Agüero and Paulo Dybala who must put their best foot forward against the Nigerians. Anything less will see the Argentinians on an early flight home. At the other end of the spectrum, the whole of Africa will be behind Nigeria, which could reach their fourth round of 16 appearances in a World Cup. Will the Super Eagles or the Albicelestes take the next step to World Cup glory?