matchday 2 game 2

Lionel Messi could eat this tournament up and like a fat man at a bbq leave just scraps for everyone else. He looks beautiful at times against the Nigerians, he maybe lacks some of the grace and power of Ronaldo but his scampering control of a football is phenomenal. Once he turns his man he seems near impossible to stop, bringing two good saves from an impressive Enyeama and playing in Higuain for a couple of chances.

Diego Maradona is class, he is the face of Argentinian football and after calling up over 100 players in qualifiers and scraping into the finals his side look like a team that could end up in the final 4 comfortably, more attacking options than anyone team needs. Going forward there hasn't been a better team so far (though this is only game 4). You feel as a side they can score more goals than any opposition, which may be necessary. Whilst Nigeria didn't have too many opportunities in the first half there were definitely glimmers of posssibility, especially if they ttack down the right hand side. It's an obvious weakness and one to exploit, Jonas isn't defensively literate and Tevez dropping back is like training a yorkshire terrier as a guard dog, keen, yappy but not naturally suited.

Nice to see Juan Sebastian Veron there, according to the commentators he's been footballer of the year last 2 years in Argentina, seeing him again reminds me of a small man crush I had on the man in the summer of 2001 when he joined Manchester United and before we knew how he'd play in England. Still a class player with a great touch and does the simple things very,very well.

So far Nigeria look alright, it's them and South Korea for the second spot and it may be closer than I'd first thought. On the evidence of the first 2 games in this group I would think Nigeria will be going home in 10 days time. In a game like this the set piece delivery is key, it has to be well delivered and so far Nigeria have wasted all the opportunites they've had, free kicks dropping short or sailing wildly over, corners being put straight out. Wasted.

This game certainly isn't over, Samuel had a cracking season with Inter and Demichelis likewise with Bayern culminating in the Champions League final, but pace doesn't seem to be a gift they've been blessed with.

Nigeria's keeper has had a cracking game, as far as I can tell that's 3+ saves a piece from Higuain and Messi, Enyeama has kept Nigeria in touch, they should be down and out. Rinsed like a creditor at Portsmouth Football Club.