Messi scores twice as Argentina beats Nigeria 3-2 at World Cup; both teams advance

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil – Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2 in their last World Cup group match on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi and Ahmed Musa scoring two goals each before Marcos Rojo kneed in the winner.

Argentina won Group F while Nigeria also advanced despite the loss.

Messi scored in the third minute, slamming in the rebound after Angel Di Maria’s shot bounced off the post. Nigeria replied within a minute as Musa cut in from the left and beat Sergio Romero with a curling shot toward the far post.

Messi’s perfectly hooked free kick restored the lead for Argentina just before halftime.

The second half started at the same furious pace as the first as Musa scored his second and Rojo made it 3-2 from a corner within the first five minutes.