Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Former World champion Argentina beat Nigeria by 3-1 goals in the Beximco Football Fest FIFA international friendly match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Tuesday evening.
Gonzala Higuin struck twice while Angel Di Mario netted another for Argentina. Substitute Obasi Chinedu scored the lone goal for Nigeria.
Taking a chip from Lionel Messi from midfield Higuin made no mistake to send the ball home with a powerful right footer from the top of the D-box giving no chance to Nigeria custodian Dele Aiyennugba (1-0) under the bar.
Messi showed his class again at 26th minute. He went past four Nigerian defenders and paved the way to Angel Di Mario, who sent the ball home from the near post (2-0).
Siasia made two changes in the second half, sending on Obasi Chinedu and Musa Ahmed, and the changes paid immediate dividends as the Super Eagles pulled a goal back within a minute.
After a John Obi Mikel shot on target was deflected off target by an Argentina defender, Chinedu fired from close range to reduce the margin to 2-1.
Nigeria could have got the equaliser two minutes later with their other second half substitute Musa coming close, but his shot went wide.
Nigeria’s chance of coming back into the game dwindled in the 65th minute when an own goal by Uwa Elderson Echiejile gave Argentina a 3-1 lead.
Receiving a pass from Di Maria, Higuain shot on target but Dele thought he got his punch away, only to see the ball take a deflection off his fellow defender Echiejile and roll into the net.
BBN/SSR/AD-07Sept11-10:59 am (BST)