Lionel Messi and Marcus Rojo have kept the dreams of millions of Argentina supporters all over the world alive by scoring against Nigeria.

Argentinan players celebrating their win against Nigeria after the final whistle(Image Source: Instagram/ Marcus Rojo)
Despite Messi scoring a spectacular goal just 14 minutes into the game and the team dominating the first half, Argentina conceded an equalizer from the penalty spot by Nigeria’s Victor Moses in the second half. Things seemed to be going the Nigerians’ way but a late Marcus Rojo half-volley in the 89th minute took his side straight to the Round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup.

Marcus Rojo celebration after scoring the winner against Nigeria (Image Source: Instagram/Gabriel Mercado)
Argentina was under a lot of pressure and criticism from around the world and was facing some internal problems relating to their coach, Jorge Sampaoli. However, the team kept their head in the game and played good quality attacking football.

An emotional Lionel Messi celebrating after defeating Nigeria (Image Source: Instagram/Argentina Fc)
Jorge Sampaoli’s men looked like a completely different team as they triumphed in what seemed to be a nail-biting match for their survival in the 2018 World Cup Finals. They showcased immense team performance but the five time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Barcelona star, Lionel Messi, was named the man of the match. He said he had never suffered as much as he did in his latest match in St. Petersburg, but believed in God as he was with them.
“I knew that God was with us and would not leave us out (of the competition),” Messi said. “I don’t remember having ever suffered so much, because of the situation and because of what was at stake. It was a huge release for all of us.”

Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring the opening goal. (Image source: Instagram/Messi)
“We had been through difficult days because of the result in the previous game, the situation we were in and because of a lot of things that came out. But fortunately, we were able to achieve our objective. We knew we would do so. We didn’t expect to suffer so much but we were confident that we would get through. And thank God it happened,” he added.
The world happily reacted to a confident and strong Argentina side led by none other than Lionel Messi.
Welcome to Russia 2018, Lionel Messi.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 26, 2018
I watched that Messi’s goal more than 100 times now and still wondering how Leo did that.
— चम्पु (@_JohanCruyff14) June 27, 2018
Long live the King #Messi pic.twitter.com/DirfYCRowL
— iamjajja (@iamjajja) June 27, 2018
Talk about #Messi‘s second touch for his goal against #NGA
Talk about historic moments of brilliance in football.
Control under pressure.
In a game of this magnitude.
Where everything is at stake.Unreal.#Somosargentina
— ?? علي (@Ali11XI) June 27, 2018
It is impossible how a human being can control a ball coming that fast and high like Messi did. This man is out of this world
— Tuna Boylu (@tunaovoxo07) June 26, 2018

Argentine squad celebrating their win against Nigeria after the final whistle. (Image Source: Instagram/ Paulo Dybala)
The internet went crazy when Argentina won but the highlight was Lionel Messi’s goal in the match. Ever Banega drove a beautiful long diagonal ball over and it was perfectly brought down by Messi with the outside of thigh, and then drilled past the young Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho just 14 minutes into the match.