Heinze 6

Argentina opened their World Cup campaign with an impressive win which would have been more convincing but for a stellar display by Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

The Nigerian net-minder had a personal battle with Albiceleste superstar Lionel Messi, making four terrific saves from the Barcelona man, as well as denying Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain twice.

Between them Messi and Higuain were off-target on three further occasions from good positions for manager Diego Maradona’s unexpectedly well-organised side..

But they had grabbed the game’s only goal after six minutes, when unmarked defender Gabriel Heinze’s bullet diving header beat both keeper and defender on the goalline.

In the final quarter, Nigeria nearly made Argentina pay for their profligacy. Taye Taiwo toe-poked the ball wide with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area.

And substitute Kala Uche was unable to keep his left-foot shot down when unmarked by the penalty spot.