Argentina and Nigeria to face-off in do-or-die match today

Lionel Messi let Argentina will be facing Nigeria in a do-or-die match of World Cup on Tuesday, as they will be nee
26 Jun, 2018

Lionel Messi let Argentina will be facing Nigeria in a do-or-die match of World Cup on Tuesday, as they will be needing a win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 after VAR chaos in Russia.

Cristiano Ronaldo´s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain are already through to last 16 where they will meet Uruguay and Russia respectively.

Spain, who will play Russia in Moscow on Sunday, ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored but only after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas -- confirmed by the video assistant referee -- ensured a 2-2 draw.

In Saransk, Ronaldo was at the heart of a series of VAR incidents. First he had a penalty saved by Ali Beiranvand and was later saved by a review as Iran´s players called for him to be sent off following an incident with Morteza Pouraliganji.

Portugal will face two-time winners Uruguay in Sochi on Saturday. Argentina will look to join Spain, Portugal, Russia and Uruguay in the next round but must rely on the outcome of the other match in Group D.

Held to a draw by tiny Iceland -- with Messi missing a penalty -- and humbled by Croatia, Jorge Sampaoli´s men could already be packing their bags.

The math is simple - if Argentina beat Nigeria and Iceland fail to win against Group D leaders Croatia, they will go through to the last 16. If Iceland win, it will be time to get the calculators out.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018

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