HEINZE’S EARLY GOAL ENOUGH TO BEAT NIGERIA

Diego Maradona landed his first World Cup victory as a coach this morning after Argentina defeated Nigeria with a final score of 2-1.

Only six minutes into the match, defender Gabriel Heinze scored on a diving header, driving the ball into the top left corner of the goal. The ball played came from a corner kick that was delivered by Juan Sebastian Veron.

While Argentina controlled 58 percent of the match, they were only able to find trhe back of the net once.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi had 103 touches on the ball and completed 69 passes, which rank second-highest of all individual players so far.

“The team made good moves, but we ended up suffering. That’s the law of soccer,” Maradona said. “Thank God we won the game.

”To begin a World Cup in winning fashion gives you a certain sense of calmness. The only thing that concerns me is that we won a big game.”

While the Nigerians were unable to control Messi, it was forward Gonzalo Higuain who failed to convert on a number of scoring opportunities.

“I felt comfortable,” Messi said. “We knew that Argentina had to show its class and I think we did.”

While unsuccessful, Messi made the most of the opportunities to score that were laid before him.

“He was very close to the ball” at all times, Maradona said. “Soccer wouldn’t be beautiful without seeing Messi touch the ball.” soccerjones.com

Nigeria promised 1 million dollars to beat Argentina

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has told the country's team that a prominent businessman has promised them a cash gift of 1 million dollars if they beat Argentina in Saturday's World Cup Group B match in Johannesburg.

President Goodluck told the players at their Protea Hotel Wanderers in Illovo, Johannesburg, that businessman Michael Adenuga has agreed to pay them the sum if they defeat Argentina.

Nigeria's senate president, David Mark, who is in South Africa for the World Cup, promised the team additional cash for victory. He disclosed he will pay them 100,000 dollars for each win at South Africa 2010.

President Goodluck then urged the "Super Eagles" to win the World Cup for Africa.

"I came into South Africa this morning and I have met a number of African heads of state, who believe that an African country will win this World Cup. It is my own belief that the African country they are talking about is Nigeria," said Nigeria's president.

"I want you to realise that the entire Nigeria is behind you in this assignment and that not only are you defending the pride of Nigeria, but that of the continent of Africa.

"When it was difficult for you during the qualifying series, most Nigerians fell sick not because it was looking like their country would miss the World Cup, but because this is the first World Cup to be staged on African soil. Please go and conquer."