World Cup Opta Stats: Nigeria v Argentina

Can Lionel Messi produce more magic for Argentina when they face Nigeria?

Argentina will be looking to defeat Nigeria to reign supreme in Group F. Opta rates their chances.

This will be the fourth meeting involving Nigeria and Argentina at a FIFA World Cup; Argentina won the previous three to have taken place. Argentina are 1.618/13 to win.

Nigeria have registered just one win in six previous attempts against Argentina in all competitions (D1 L4). The draw is 3.814/5.

Nigeria have never won against a South American team at World Cup (L4). Argentina are 2.447/5 to win half-time/full-time.

Argentina have mustered just eight goals across the six matches played against Nigeria; an average of 1.3 per game. Under 2.5 goals is 1.9620/21.

Argentina have won 11 and lost just one of their last 14 World Cup group games (D2), scoring 27 and conceding just five in total in this run. They are 3.7511/4 to win both halves.

Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for Argentina. Messi is 1.758/11 to score.

Argentina are looking to win all three group games at a World Cup, as they managed in 2010 under Diego Maradona. They are 1.121/8 to win Group F.

Nigeria won their first World Cup game in 10 outings against Bosnia and Herzegovina (D3 L6). They are 8.27/1 to win.

The Super Eagles have now gone 221 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal. They are 7.06/1 to keep a clean sheet.

Since losing their first game against African opposition at the World Cup (Cameroon in 1990),
Argentina have won their last four from sides from that continent. The draw half-time/Argentina full-time is priced at 5.04/1.