Nigeria and Argentina have become perennial foes at the World Cup tournament with both countires slated to slug it out once again at the Russia 2018 global soccer fiesta.
It will be the fifth meeting since 1994 when they first confronted each other at the tournament. In the draw held for the 32 competing nations in Moscow on Friday, December 1, 2017, both countries were drawn together in Group D.
In a group that also parades two European countries, Croatia and World Cup newcomers, Iceland; the Super Eagles will flag off their campaigns against the Croats in their first ever senior international tie; to be followed by the Iceland match with the encounter against Argentina drawing the curtains for Group D matches at the global soccer fiesta.
Argentina has become Nigeria’s nemesis in the competition’s group stages in 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014. The only time both teams did not cross paths at the World Cup was in France 1998.
At the USA 1994 World Cup, Nigeria drew Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece in a group that saw the Eagles blowing away Bulgaria 3-0 in the opening match. Despite losing 1-0 to Argentina in a tricky match, Nigeria emerged group leaders only to suffer a painful 1-2 loss to Italy in the round of 16.
At Korea/Japan 2002 tournament, Nigeria, for the second time, faced the South American giants losing 0-1in the opening match. The Eagles later fell 1-2 to Sweden 1-2 before exiting the tournament with a goalless draw against the Three Lions of England.
Again, at the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa, Nigeria and Argentina had their third confrontation with the South Americans grinding out another slim 1-0 victory. The Super Eagles almost got things right at the 2014 edition in Brazil where they lost 2-3 to the Argentines.
