The 2-1 defeat Argentina inflicted on the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup which sealed their passage to the next round of the world cup came as a relief to most of the players .
In 2018, the world champions went into the game against Nigeria needing a win to be sure of a spot in the round of 16 while Nigeria needed just a draw to be in the next round. Scores was tied at 1-1 for large spell of the game with Lionel Messi’s goal cancelled out by a penalty by Victor Moses.
With the clock running out in an emotional game and Argentina facing the disgraceful blow of bowing out of the World Cup in the group stages, It was center back Marcos Rojo who proved to be their saviour with a goal late into the game to earn them the win.
Speaking about the goal in an interview on Líbero Vs on TyC Sports, the defender who is no longer a part of the Argentina national team after playing in two separate world cups picked the goal he scored against Nigeria as the most emotional of his world cup experience.
“The goal I celebrated the most at the 2018 World Cup was against Nigeria. I didn’t know I had Messi on my back, I just wanted to get to Mercado who played me the cross. He crossed it and I was there with my right foot, impossible. I hit it with my right foot but perfectly hit it. I could kick 100 times and I wouldn’t score.
“It would have been crazy to be eliminated in the group with Leo on the pitch, they would have killed us all, imagine. It was going to be a catastrophe, so imagine the relief that was, in that minute.”
Mohammed Mowiz