Argentine Messi opens his goalscoring record at the ongoing Russia 2018 world cup as he scored the opener in their last group game against Nigeria, to help his country advance to the round of sixteen after a Marcos Rojo 87th winner.
The Barcelona forward who has faced heavy criticism both from his home country and the world in general, though had it tough, but showed a lot of leadership qualities in the second half to help Argentina record their first win, in a group they finished with just 4-points just one above Nigeria who finished third with 3-points.
After suffering one of the surprise defeats at the hands of Croatia it meant that the game with Nigeria was a must win as they need it to qualify to the second stage while hoping Iceland lose to Croatia.
This was what eventually happened, as lackluster defending from Victor Moses at the far end on the Nigerian half, allowed Rojo to wipe in a volley which goalkeeper could not save, as Argentina take all three points, leaving 190 million Nigerians heartbroken.
Argentina will now take on France, while Croatia will face Denmark. Nigeria and Iceland heads home, just as predicted at the outset