It is here once again, as The Super Eagles of Nigeria ?? look to retire arguably football’s best player, Lionel Messi from International football at the expense of his national side Argentina ??, in what many have tagged “all or nothing” for both sides.[spacer height=”30px”]

This will be their 5th meeting in the biggest stage of football and both sides have no plans of doing either side, any favours.[spacer height=”30px”]

A big, big game lies ahead for #BIG18 and @NGSuperEagles 🇳🇬

All the best to our Naija boy, @alexiwobi – we're all behind you 🙌#NGA v #ARG kicks off at 7pm (UK time) pic.twitter.com/mId9wc3QXK

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 26, 2018

[spacer height=”30px”]The La Albiceleste of Argentina ??  have a perfect record against The Super Eagles of Nigeria ??, with 4 wins out of 4. All wins with a goal margin since their first encounter, almost exactly 24 years ago on the 25th of June 1994 in USA.[spacer height=”30px”]

However, the their last encounter on the 25th of June 2014, ended with Ahmed Musa and Lionel Messi scoring braces for their sides and Manchester United centreback Marcos Rojo, scoring the match winning goal.[spacer height=”30px”]

[spacer height=”30px”]If the display by the sides in the last encounter of the tournament is anything to like what we are primed for tonight, then surely it will be a blockbuster of a game.[spacer height=”30px”]

Their encounter, which was an International friendly, ended 4-2 in favor of The Super Eagles of Nigeria ??, who came from 2 goals down to win on the day.[spacer height=”30px”]

However, that was just a friendly which even lacked the presence of Lionel Messi and substitutions were allowed beyond just 3.[spacer height=”30px”]

Then again, games between these two sides can never really termed a friendly as they always seek to dominate the other over the course of the game.[spacer height=”30px”]

I’m torn… Nigeria vs Argentina..
1 part of me wants 1 of the best players ever (#Messi) to produce some magic for us to be entertained but the other part of me wants my Nigerian friends to go on and produce a magical team display
I’m torn!!!! #SoarSuperEagles #ARG pic.twitter.com/Om1S5lln3H

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 26, 2018

[spacer height=”30px”]So much so that players have had their say about the fixture, long before the commencement of the mundial. Of all the comments, one with venom actually stands out from the others.[spacer height=”30px”]

The author of the comment needs not much introduction as he as plied his trade across Europe’s most exciting teams and leagues.[spacer height=”30px”]

He is no other but CentreBack Javier Mascherano who has gone as far as analyzing the Super Eagles mentality. Here is what he had to say;[spacer height=”30px”]

“Nigeria are quite well known to us, we’ve always met in the last World Cups. They’re tough, not just because of their physical power, but because their disorganisation has the effect of disorganising you as a rival. And that’s when teams like ours suffer the most – (in disorder).”

[spacer height=”30px”]Chelsea Legend and former Ivory coast ?? striker Didier Drogba has voiced his opinion as regards the approach of Super Eagles of Nigeria to the game against Argentina. Here is what he had to say;[spacer height=”30px”]

“They were spontaneous and exciting, which is the way I expected them to play at this World Cup – and that is why they won the game.

The point I am making is that they need to keep their identity as a team. It is important they keep doing that if they are going to reach the last 16. If they decide to stay defensive and start fearing conceding goals, they will be going home”. [spacer height=”30px”]

The key men for tonight’s clash include;[spacer height=”30px”]

Lionel Messi: On his day, he is a terror to play against. The Albiceleste will be hoping he is tuned in and locked on today.[spacer height=”30px”]

Gonzalo Higuain: Deadly finisher and will be effective against the Nigerian backline serially.[spacer height=”30px”]

Ever Banega: Considering this Albiceleste side have shipped in the most goals in the group, the Combative Midfielder will be required to quell the threat Etebo poses from the middle of the park.[spacer height=”30px”]

Ahmed Musa: currently basking in the euphoria of his brace in the last game and also responsible for the brace against the Albiceleste in the last tournament, he will certainly look to wreak further havoc on that backline of Argentina.[spacer height=”30px”]

Kelechi Iheanacho: The mobile Leicester record signing will be looking to register his name on the scoreboard as well as dominate the air in the opposition half.[spacer height=”30px”]

Victor Moses: Has had a tournament to be proud of so far. He just needs to stick to the wingback duties and nullify the threat of Di Maria.[spacer height=”30px”]

.@MirrorDarren looks ahead to a huge night for Argentina – and Nigeria say they are ready to 'retire Messi'. Can they do it? pic.twitter.com/1rJj8Vmtnx

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 26, 2018

[spacer height=”30px”]Expected lineups, Formations and Prediction.[spacer height=”30px”]

Super Eagles of Nigeria ??[spacer height=”30px”]

Formation 3-5-2[spacer height=”30px”]

[spacer height=”30px”]La Albiceleste of Argentina ??[spacer height=”30px”]

Formation: 4-3-3[spacer height=”30px”]

[spacer height=”30px”]Prediction: 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.[spacer height=”30px”]

Time of match: 19:00 WAT[spacer height=”30px”]

Venue: St. Petersburg[spacer height=”30px”]

Tournament: World cup.[spacer height=”30px”]

Confirmed Starting XI for Nigeria vs Argentina : 

Nigeria starting XI vs Argentina: Uzoho, Balogun, Ekong, Ebuehi, Idowu, Ndidi, Etebo, Mikel, Musa, Iheanacho, Moses.

Sampaoli’s team will be: Franco Armani, Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico, Enzo Perez, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain.