They did it by the skin of their teeth, but they did it: Argentina are into the second round of the World Cup following a hair-raising group finale against Nigeria in which a far more fluid performance finally saw them claim their first victory of the tournament. It wasn't a perfect 2-1 win but it just might be the boost Argentina have needed.
Positives
Qualification, of course, and also the regularity with which Messi got the ball higher up the pitch, even in a second half that saw the team in danger of coming unravelled for a while. As Jorge Sampaoli put it in the post-match press conference, "if we can make sure Leo spends a lot of time on the ball, we'll have a chance."
Negatives
The team again lost a bit of shape after conceding, though less disastrously than against Croatia, and there was a gulf in class between the best player and the worst, the likes of which is hard to remember in another match at this World Cup.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Asked to simplify his tactics and lineup prior to this one, Sampaoli responded with a much more well-balanced starting XI, and while some of the names were debatable, the crucial addition of Ever Banega in midfield transformed the side. After a poor start to the second half, though, his main change (Cristian Pavon replacing Enzo Perez) almost spoiled the shape of the team. Perhaps he's found the team now, but the changes still need some work.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Franco Armani, 7 -- Showed confidence and security in claiming high balls and didn't give the ball to any opposing forwards a few yards away. At 1-1, after a slip from Nicolas Otamendi, Armani stood up well to deny Odion Ighalo a goal that would surely have sunk Argentina.
DF Gabriel Mercado, 6 -- Put in a decent shift up the right flank, offering a passing option at times and judging his runs well. Faded in the second half.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 6 -- Hard to say whether having a more reliable goalkeeper behind helped, but he looked much less chaotic. As Argentina looked in danger of coming undone in the second half he did have one unfortunate slip, requiring Armani to bail him out, but overall this was better than against Croatia.
DF Marcos Rojo, 7 -- Perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty shortly before half-time but was dynamic in bringing the ball out of defence in the first half. In the second, had a heart-in-mouth moment as the VAR looked again at his ball-to-hand header before he grabbed the fairy-tale finish with a fine right-footed volley to win the game.
DF Nicolas Tagliafico, 5 -- Not as bad as some made out on social media during the game, but not great either, considering the improvement in much of the rest of the team. His energy seemed to ebb during the second half though.
MF Enzo Perez, 7 -- Again showed a good range of passing, making some positive runs and linking well with Messi when the ball was in Argentina's inside-right channel. The decision to replace him (rather than, say, Di Maria) with Cristian Pavon an hour in was a strange one and Argentina's midfield lost some solidity as a result.
MF Javier Mascherano, 4 -- Argentina's worst player. Made one horrendous sideways pass to an opponent but bailed himself out by racing to make a sliding tackle. The penalty call might have been debatable but after the attention given to holding at set pieces so far in this tournament, it was a daft mistake. As the game wore on, his passing deteriorated.
MF Ever Banega, 8 -- Can be frustrating for Argentina but when he's good, he's very good. His passing was precisely what Messi (and by extension, the team) have been crying out for. In the second half he dropped off but his attempts to play the ball forward, even when unsuccessful, were still vital to ensuring the team didn't drop too deep. In this mood, he has to be a guaranteed starter.
MF Angel Di Maria, 5 -- Made a few good runs, but otherwise a quiet performance. Only became more frustrating during the second period when his touch deserted him.
FW Lionel Messi, 8 -- This is more like it. Blew any lingering nerves away in spectacular style with a gloriously taken opening goal. Thereafter he looked lively and confident throughout, clearly helped by Banega's presence and an increased willingness from teammates to show for the ball when he had it.
FW Gonzalo Higuain, 7 -- Far less explosive than Sergio Aguero and was stretching a bit to clatter the goalkeeper rather than lift it over him late in the first half, but he linked well with Messi and held the ball up decently. Another game without a goal for Argentina but his work rate and ability to bring others into play were on full display here.
Substitutes
FW Cristian Pavon, 7 -- His introduction for Perez, rather than Di Maria, was baffling but Pavon did what Argentina needed from him. Namely, he produced some good direct runs and a turn of pace that on more than one occasion helped them to gain some respite from Nigeria's attacks.
FW Maxi Meza, NR -- Replaced Di Maria just too late to get a rating here, which was probably for the best as he struggled.
FW Sergio Aguero, NR -- Came on to partner Higuain and had no time to do anything.