Argentina 2 Nigeria 4: Eagles hand La Albiceleste their first defeat under Sampaoli

Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi inspired Nigeria to a comfortable 4-2 victory over Argentina at the Krasnodar stadium in an international friendly on Tuesday.

In the previous seven meetings between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and La Albiceleste of Argentina, Nigeria have only won once, drawn once and lost five.

But Mikel-led Eagles inspired by Iwobi and Iheanacho made it just the second victory for Nigeria against Argentina.

After 40 minute Argentina were 2 goals up and looked like they will run Eagles over. A school boy mistake from Daniel Akpeyi gifted Argentina the lead through Ever Banega who converted the indirect free-kick awarded after Akpeyi’s error.

Aguero then made it two for Argentina 6 minutes after Banega’s goal with a tap in.

With a minute left before half time, Kelechi Iheanacho put one back for Eagles through a free-kick. Wilfred Ndidi had a chance to equalise for Nigeria but his tame shot was stopped gy the keeper.

Nigeria started the second half like a house on fire and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho combined to tee the later up who made it 2-2 with a classy finish.

Bryan Idowu a second half substitute who was only making his debut made increased the lead to 3-2 for Nigeria with another classy finish in the 54th minute.

The party was not over as Mikel and Musa combined to set up Alex Iwobi who turned his markers before making a world class finish to increase Nigeria’s lead and registered his brace.

There was no way back for the La Albiceleste as Nigeria hung on to a 4-2 win to record the second win in eight games against Argentina and also condemned Jorge Sampaoli side o their first defeat under the former Chile manager.