Argentina staged a remarkable late comeback to defeat Nigeria 3-2 in a dramatic World Cup group stage match, scoring twice in stoppage time to avert a potential disaster. The victory keeps Argentina's hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive after a shaky performance.
Match Summary
Nigeria took the lead in the first half through a well-taken goal by Victor Osimhen, but Argentina equalized shortly after via Lionel Messi. The second half saw Nigeria regain the lead through a penalty converted by Samuel Chukwueze, putting Argentina on the brink of elimination. However, in the 90th minute, Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scored a controversial equalizer, with replays showing he was in an offside position. The goal stood after a VAR review, sparking debate. Deep into stoppage time, Angel Di Maria scored the winner, securing a 3-2 victory.
Controversy and Impact
The equalizer drew criticism from Nigerian players and fans, who argued that Martinez was clearly offside. According to former referee Peter Walton, "The goal should have been disallowed, but VAR deemed the offside not clear and obvious." The win puts Argentina level on points with group leaders Brazil, while Nigeria's chances of advancing are now slim.
