Argentina 1 Nigeria 0
Batistuta 63

Beckham butties for brekkie? Not for the early risers!! What was on the menu for us? An Argentine line-up to make you drool, that's what! Tasty, tasty, tasty! (Some rather yummy too - Pochettino :)) The marmalade on the toast - a Batistuta header on the 63rd.

Ugh - that is as good as the BBC, ITV scriptwriters come up with, isn't it? (They came up with "Crespo with your cornflakes"). And look how early! (8.32 - next game already kicked off and thus this has to be quick!). Anyway, it was an enjoyable game. The Argies had the bulk of it, but found the Nigerians difficult to get past. Inevitable though, really. The goalie was Nigeria's best player. Kanu was invisible. Veron was overrated once more. Yes he did all the corners, free-kicks etc - but not very well. Claudio Lopez subbed on half-time for being poor - but even he was better than anybody England possess. Ortega was good, though his passing is suspect.

Shirts! Argentina in royal blue silk. Nigeria in the most obscene pale green nylon - with illegible white numbering.

Hair. Hands down the Argies! Especially Aimar with that massive cloud of curls!!

Teams

Argentina: Cavallero, Placente, Sorin, Pocchettino, Samuel, Zanetti, Simeone, Veron (Aimar 78), Ortega, Claudio Lopez (Gonzalez 45), Batistuta (Crespo 81).
Booked: Samuel, Simeone.

Nigeria: Shorunmu, Yobo, Babayaro, Okoronkwo, West, Sodje (Christopher 73), Ogbeche, Okocha, Lawal, Kanu (Ikedia 48), Aghahowa. Subs Not Used: Adepoju, Afolabi, Akwuegbu, Ejide, Ejiofor, Enyeama, Obiorah, Opabunmi, Udeze, Utaka.
Booked: Sodje.

Attendance: 34,050.

Referee: Giles Veissiere (France).

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