WorldCup/Russia2018: Mikel Obi expresses gratitude to all Nigerians for their support after losing again to a Lionel Messi's Argentina team

                      Mikel Obi of Nigeria in action against Argentina 

Nigeria Super Eagle's captain, Mikel Obi has thanked Nigerians for their unreserved support to the Super Eagles as their participation in 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia ended yesterday. He wants all Nigerians to know that they, Super Eagle's players, are as well feeling bad that they couldn't qualify to the round of 16 of the World Cup by losing 2-1 to Argentina.

We can recall that in the last group D match, Nigeria needed at least a draw against Argentina(if Iceland could not win Croatia with big margin) to qualify to the round of 16 of Russian 2018 FIFA World Cup, but ended up conceding a late goal in the 86 minute when Marcos Rojo appeared from nowhere and scored from a close range(unmarked) which saw Argentina progressed instead.

Messi slotted home after 14 minutes when Ever Banega lofted a lovely ball into his path. With just three touches, the ball was rocketing past Francis in Nigeria's goals. Things took a turn for the worse from there though. Nigeria took control and Argentina took a backseat.

They didn't score but could have had a penalty when Rojo kicked Iheanacho in the face in the penalty area at the end of the first 45 but escaped punishment.

Mascherano was as lucky though as he pulled Balogun back in the area at the start of the second half and conceded a spot kick. Victor Moses got a chance to display his nerves of cast iron steel to roll the ball beyond Armani to level things and put the Argentinians out as it stood.

There was huffing and puffing and chances from both sides but it looked like it would end a goalles draw when Gonzalo Higuain drove over from a very nice angle. There was more drama to come though.

Rojo popped up with a peach on 86 minutes. Gabriel Mercado sent the ball in from the right and the defender could not have caught the ball sweeter from the six-yard line as Francis was left fastened to the floor as he watched the ball shoot by him again.
                  Messi celebrating Argentina's winning goal with Rojo

It sent Argentina through to the last 16, turning heartbreak into scenes of joyfulness. Di Maria wept, Argentina fans sang and the players surrounded Messi to celebrate their qualification. They will play France on Saturday at 16:00 and whether you want to believe it or not, they are now contenders to go all the way.

John Obi Mikel wrote on his instagram account(mikel_john_obi) thus "We fought until the end and we are all hurting with you. Your support has driven us throughout the World Cup & we cannot thank you enough"

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