World Cup 2018 live: Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

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Live scores:

• Nigeria 1-1 Argentina (Moses Pen. 50'; Messi 14')
• Iceland 0-1 Croatia (Badelj 53')

53' - Iceland 0-1 Croatia

GOAL! Out of nowhere, Croatia take the lead against Iceland. The underdogs fail to clear their lines and, making a late run into the box, Milan Badelj is on hand to lash home the loose ball. 

50' - Nigeria 1-1 Argentina

GOAL! There's a delay in the spot kick being taken after some handbags on the edge of the area. Victor Moses is unfazed and cooly sends the keeper the wrong way. Advantage Nigeria. Will Argentina come to rue that mistake by Mascherano.

49' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

PENALTY! Javier Mascherano tangles with Leon Balogun as they contest for a corner and Nigeria are awarded a penalty. 

48' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Dare we say it's been quiet start to the second half.

SECOND HALF! We're back underway in Group D. Lionel Messi has given his side a pep talk in the tunnel before they take to the pitch. Argentina need a second goal if Iceland's chances at the end of the first half were anything to go by. More drama to follow? 

HALF TIME!

Good omens for Argentina... 

HALF TIME!

Of course he is... 

HALF TIME! 

Argentina have one foot in the World Cup knockout stage thanksto Lionel Messi's moment of magic, but one goal could change everything in Group D. It should make for a fascinating second 45 minutes.

45' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

CHANCE! Iceland are attacking much more quickly now and draw another save out of Kalinic, who is at full stretch to tip Saevarsson's curling effort away from danger. What an end to the half.

45' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

CHANCE! Iceland again go close, but this time Kalinic makes a superb save whether he knew much about it or not. Ingason challenges the keeper in the air, the ball is spilled to Bjarnason, whose goes for goal only to see Kalinic get a foot on the ball to turn it behind. 

41' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Modric goes down the other end and sends a long-range effort of his own off target.

40' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

SIDE NETTING! Iceland go within a whisker of getting a goal that could really throw the cat in amongst the pidgeons in Group D. Alfred Finnbogason plays a one-two with Gylfi Sigurdsson and whips a first time effort just wide with Kalinic worried. So close for Iceland!

39' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

Argentina are having a lot of the ball and seem to have plenty a lot of options at their disposal with Nigeria sitting off. Ever Banega for one is thriving with the extra time and space on the ball. He's made a real difference.

37' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Croatia have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four World Cup appearances, as many as they hid in their previous 12 in the competition. They haven't really been troubled so far, which doesn't bode well for Iceland. The problem is that they won't be able to get through if they can't get the ball off Croatia.

34' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

WOODWORK! Messi lines up a free-kick and smashes it against the post. He opted to go with one of the "wrong side of the wall" variety and almost caught Uzoho out. The Nigerian keeper just got a fingertip to the ball. 

32' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

Some slick passing in midfield allows Banega to release Di Maria. Bearing down on goal he has his heels clipped by Leon Balogun who is lucky there was a covering defender. Else that would have been a striahgt red.

31' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

SAVE! Iceland are awarded a free-kick 25 yards out from goal on the left wing. Gylfi Sigurdsson fancies his chances and stings the palms of Kalinic in goal. Decent strike, but the keeper saw it the whole way.

30' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

Half an hour played. Argentina are much improved even if they haven't hit top gear yet.

27' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

CHANCE! Messi almost turns provider. The Barcelona star slips a perfectly weighted pass into the run of Higuain, who fails to lift it over the onrushing Francis Uzoho. Exquisite pass. Poor finish. Uzoho gets clattered, but is ok to continue.

25' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

CHANCE! A long throw is flicked on at the near post by Magnusson, but no one is ready to pounce as the ball flashes dangerously across the face of goal.

22' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

The game has settled since Messi opened the scoring. Argentina aren't getting ahead of themselves, while Nigeria are trying to find a way back into the game to no avail so far. Messi looks in the mood and with his side growing in confidence, Nigeria have every right to be a little nervous.

19' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

As it stands, Argentina will be joining group winners Croatia in the knockout stages, which has only upped the pressure on Iceland. News will filter through eventually. For now though chances remain at a premium at the Rostov Arena.

17' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

Free-kick in a dangerous area for Argentina. Di Maria's delivery is over everyone though as the referee blows for a foul.

14' - Nigeria 0-1 Argentina 

GOAL! Lionel Messi opens his account in Russia. Ever Banega plays a ball over the top to find Messi, who takes two touches before planting the ball in the far corner. Finally! It's been 22 shots on goal since he last scored at a World Cup!

 

14' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Javier Mascherano twice gives the ball away in quick succession. Fortunately for Argentina, neither Iheanacho, nor Musa can capitalize. Nigeria are poised to explode if given the chance. 

13' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

We've got a stoppage in play after Bjarnason caught an elbow. Meanwhile... 

11' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Messi bursts into the Nigeria box, but sees his square ball cut out. Unselfish play from the Argentinian captain. 

10' - Iceland 0-0 Croatia

Iceland talked about demonstrating patience in chasing the game against Croatia. We've only seen them threaten once so far. Unfortunately Gylfi Sigurdsson couldn't pick out a teammate after breaking into the box.

9' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Ahmed Musa is full of confidence after his goalscoring exploits against Iceland, but will need to do better as he slices well wide from 25 yards with a snapshot on the stretch.

7' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Messi dances his way off the flank, skips past a few challeges and is brought down by John Obi Mikel. Free-kick is worked short and results in Tagliafico sending a shot off target.

6' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Gonzalo Higuain has replaced Sergio Agüero in the Argentina starting line-up. Can he seize upon the opportunity to impress? Nigeria's back three are sitting very deep right now.

5' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Di Maria has the pace to keep Ever Banega's overhit pass in play, but sees the offside flag raised on the far side.

3' - Nigeria 0-0 Argentina

Lionel Messi's first involvement in the game sees him concede possession. Argentina are snapping at the heels the Nigerian players though. They have started with great intent. 

KICK OFF! It's win or bust in Group D. Can Argentina or Iceland pull off a great escape?

19:55 - Iceland need a helping hand

Iceland find themselves int he same boat as Argentina knowing only a win will give them a shot at the knockout stages. They'll be hoping Croatia take their eye off the ball after all but guaranteeing themselves top spot in Group D with the 3-0 win against Messi and Co. 

19:50 - Messi to make his mark?

Lionel Messi looked like he had the wieght of the world on his shoulders, and played like it too, when Argentina were demolished by Croatia. Can the Barcelona star set himself free tonight when his national team need him most? Finalists four years ago, Argentina have to win to stand a chance of reaching the Round of 16.  

19:45 - Hello one and all! 

Welcome to live coverage of Nigera vs Argentina and Iceland vs. Croatia. Group D has the potential to end with some real fireworks and perhaps an upset or two. Here's how they line up...