FULL-TIME! NIGERIA 1-2 ARGENTINA
94 mins: Argentina running time down now and Messi earns a yellow card for wasting time.
92 mins: Third and final change for Nigeria as Musa, who has run himself into the ground in the match, is replaced by Simy.
92 mins: Even more noise from the Argentina supporters as news filters through that Croatia have retaken the lead against Iceland. Now all that can knock them out is a Nigeria equaliser.
91 mins: A late yellow card for Mikel, as Nigeria stand on the verge of an exit.
91 mins: We are into four minutes of added time.
90 mins: Iwobi, who scored a brace against Argentina in a 4-2 win back in November, is introduced for a late cameo in place of Omeruo.
88 mins: Argentina, as it stands, are through to the round of 16 by the skin of their teeth but the picture could change once again with just a single goal. It will certainly be a nervous finale.
86 mins: Mercado's deliver was pinpoint and an unlikely hero emerges for Argentina. A cruel blow for Nigeria.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
86 mins: GOOOOOOAL! Argentina lead 2-1! Rojo could be the hero! Mercado curls a superb cross into the middle where the Manchester United man tucks home superbly with his right foot. The roof has just lifted off the stadium!
86 mins: Meza tumbles in the box and Argentina desperately appeal for a penalty. Nigeria stand firm but it's still very finely balanced in St. Petersburg.
85 mins: WIDE! Big moment for Nigeria after Banega concedes a free-kick just outside the box and Etebo smashes an effort onto the roof of the net. Very, very close but Argentina fight on!
83 mins: SAVE! At the other end, Nigeria have a chance to take the lead and secure their spot in the knockout stages but Armani makes a crucial save to deny Ighalo.
81 mins: MISS! Was that the moment for Argentina? Rojo drills a low ball back into the middle of the penalty area where Higuain is lurking but he lashes his shot off target.
80 mins: Last roll of the dice for Sampaoli and it's not surprising to see Aguero take to the field. Tagliafico is replaced.
78 mins: The closing moments of Group D will be decided by very fine margins as Iceland have equalised against Croatia. They need to win to have a chance but it means a goal in either match could change the picture once again.
77 mins: No penalty! The correct decision in the end from the referee, it would have been very harsh. Common sense prevails and the action gets back underway.
76 mins: VAR is being consulted as Nigeria appeal for a handball and it certainly struck the arm of the defender. It was headed down onto the arm and the referee has trotted to the touchline to assess the incident.
75 mins: WIDE! A huge miss for Nigeria! Musa finds space down the left and drills a low ball back into the middle, where the ball is deflected up in the air and then smashed at goal by Ighalo - but it's wide of the mark.
74 mins: The attitude from the Argentina fans inside the stadium has started to shift. They are starting to grow frustrated, knowing that their World Cup could be set to come to a premature end.
72 mins: Second change of the game for Argentina, who bring on Meza for Di Maria.
71 mins: OVER! Nigeria could be made to rue these missed chances, as Ndidi fires a shot over the bar from distance.
69 mins: Moses' penalty was the 16th so far at the 2018 World Cup. Only the 1998 tournament has seen more (17).
68 mins: Nigeria have now faced an extended period without the ball, as Messi and company try to carve through an organised defensive line.
66 mins: Argentina are banging on the door looking for a goal that will send them through to the knockout stages but Nigeria are remaining firm in defence. The game still hangs on a knife-edge.
64 mins: Banega lunges in on Ndidi and earns a yellow card.
63 mins: The introduction of Pavon shows Sampaoli's attacking intent and Argentina certainly do have a wealth of options from the bench, including Aguero and Dybala. Certainly not bad options to call upon when you need a goal.
61 mins: Argentina make their first change of the game, replacing Perez with Pavon.
59 mins: Musa breaks with pace down the left side and beats Mascherano with a fine bit of skill but his pass back towards Ighalo in the middle is cut out.
58 mins: Nigeria will also have to show plenty of strength for the remainder of the match as they will certainly come under a lot of pressure as the game progresses.
56 mins: The Nigeria goal, if anything, has just resulted in the Argentina fans making even more noise. They know they have a part to play and they are doing their best to help their side push towards a win they need.
55 mins: A big test of Argentina's character now as they have work to do. Sampaoli will have warned his side at the break that things can change in an instant and they have learnt that first hand.
53 mins: The Nigeria goal is crucial as it means the African side are going through as it stands. In the other game, Croatia have taken the lead against Iceland.
52 mins: A huge roar at the other end as Di Maria falls to ground under pressure from Moses but the referee is not interested in his protests.
Gabriel Bouys
51 mins: GOAL! Moses tucks home from the spot and it's 1-1! The Chelsea man was cool after an extended wait to take the penalty, waiting for Armani to make his move and slotting to the right-hand side.
50 mins: VAR is being consilted and there is definitely contact between Mascherano and Balogun. It may be harsh but the defenders have been warned throughout the tournament and have not learnt their lesson.
49 mins: Mascherano is booked for the foul but the punishment could get worse for Argentina.
49 mins: PENALTY! Etebo whips a corner into the middle and Mascherano is adjudged to have fouled a Nigeria man inside the area.
47 mins: The introduction of Ighalo makes sense for Nigeria as Iheanacho was poor in the first period and did pick up a knock in the latter stages.
46 mins: Nigeria make a change at the break, introducing Ighalo for Iheanacho.
46 mins: KICK-OFF! Argentina get us back underway for the second half for the final 45 minutes of Group D.
Argentina look comfortable but the picture can quickly change. An equaliser for Nigeria would send Argentina home and Iceland, if they beat Croatia in the other match, could also send Sampaoli's side back to Beunos Aires. There is still a long way to go and there is work to be done.
Argentina have the lead at the break and, crucially, are through to the last 16 as it stands. Messi has finally arrived at the World Cup and his goal was fantastic, with two brilliant touches after latching on Banega's lofted pass before smashing into the far corner. Nigeria have not offered enough going forward.
HALF-TIME! NIGERIA 0-1 ARGENTINA
46 mins: We are into two minutes of additional time at the end of the first half.
44 mins: Ihanacho is down inside the box after a high foot from Rojo but the Manchester United man got the ball. He was holding the striker though, so he certainly has a case to appeal for a penalty.
43 mins: Still goalless between Croatia and Iceland, by the way, which means that Argentina are through as it stands. A goal in either game could change the picture significantly though.
41 mins: Etebo has done well for Nigeria in midfield but his latest shot will not make the highlight reel, as he scuffs the effort and sees it go out for a throw-in.
40 mins: The noise inside the stadium is incredible. All the talk was of an Argentina crisis but the fans are not letting those reported issues affect their mood.
38 mins: Nigeria look like they could benefit from the half-time break as they are short of ideas at the moment. They started with some spark but have lost that since falling behind.
36 mins: Armani, making his international debut at the age of 31, is yet to be tested by Nigeria's attack.
34 mins: OFF THE POST! Messi steps up to take the resulting free-kick and tries to catch Uzoho out by going for the right-hand side of the goal but his effort clatters back off the post.
32 mins: A big moment in the match as Di Maria surges through on goal and is clipped from behind by Balogun, who earns a yellow card. Argentina are appealing for a red card but there was another covering defender.
30 mins: Nigeria are being really wasteful on the ball as they continue to try to go long to their strikers and Argentina are having no problems at all in defence.
28 mins: Uzoho, thankfully, is back on his feet and able to continue.
27 mins: SAVE! Messi feeds an excellent through ball to the feet of Higuain but Uzoho is quick off his line to save the attempt from the Juventus forward. The stopper is now receiving some treatment after being caught after Higuain's shot.
26 mins: Nigeria have struggled to get on the ball since falling behind and they are trying to go direct, conceding possession too easily.
24 mins: Banega is pulling the strings for Argentina in midfield, while Messi looks to be in the mood. Nigeria could be set for a very difficult game, though it would be interesting to see how the atmosphere would change if they found an equaliser.
22 mins: Nigeria have done fairly well so far but they have been undone by one moment of magic. The sort of half chances that fell to Musa and Iheanacho earlier need to be taken if the Super Eagles are to claw their way back into the match.
20 mins: Messi's goal was the 100th of the 2018 World Cup.
18 mins: The Argentina fans in the stadium are singing Messi's name and the importance of the goal could be crucial. As it stands, Argentina will join Croatia in the round of 16.
16 mins: Messi’s strike was his sixth at the World Cup. 50% of those goals have come against Nigeria (two in 2014).
14 mins: Messi's run was sublime but the ball from Banega was pinpoint, putting the ball on the plate for Argentina's number 10.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
14 mins: GOOOOOAL! Messi gives Argentina a 1-0 lead! Banega lofts a fantastic ball over the Nigeria defence to find Messi who surged into space, striking into the far corner of the net.
13 mins: Mascherano sloppily gives the ball away and Iheanacho puts Argentina's defence under pressure. However, the Leicester man is indecisive on the ball and Mascherano makes up for his error.
11 mins: Argentina struggled against Iceland's organised defence during their opening World Cup game and Nigeria have adopted a similar approach here, sitting back when they don't have the ball to limit the space for the Argentines to exploit.
9 mins: OVER! Nigeria are starting to find their feet and are getting shots in on goal but Musa, slipping as he strikes, fires an effort over Armani's bar.
7 mins: First charge forward for Nigeria through Otebo but his shot from just outside the edge of the area is blocked. Nigeria hit on the counter and Mikel fouls Messi to quell the danger.
5 mins: Argentina have dominated possession in the early exchanges but their final ball has not been up to scratch. Messi is hugging the touchline on the right so far.
3 min: The stands are a sea of Argentina's famous blue and white striped jersey, with only small pockets of Nigeria's green. It should be a cracking atmosphere.
1 min: KICK-OFF! We're underway in St. Petersburg, where Nigeria get us started.
HERE WE GO...
3 mins until KO: The national anthems are done, the teams are out and it is time for Group D to come to a close!
12 mins until KO: Nigeria have faced Argentina in each of their last three World Cups in 2002, 2010 and 2014 - losing each of those matches by a one goal margin.
18 mins until KO: Argentina make wholesale changes to the side defeated by Croatia, with Sampaoli making five overall. Aguero and Caballero are the big names to be dropped, along with Salvio, Acuna and Meza. Armani, Banega, Rojo, Di Maria and Higuain are the players who come into the side.
20 mins until KO: Nigeria are unchanged from their victory over Iceland and will hope that Musa and Iheanacho can cause the Argentina defence problems. Idowu was born in St. Petersburg and plays in his home town this evening.
23 mins until KO: Argentina subs: Nahuel Guzman, Willy Caballero, Giovani Lo Celso, Maximiliano Meza, Paulo Dybala, Lucas Biglia, Eduardo Salvio, Cristian Pavon, Federico Fazio, Marcos Acuna, Sergio Aguero, Cristian Ansaldi.
23 mins until KO: Nigeria subs: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi, Alex Iwobi, Simy, Odion Ighalo, Tyronne Ebuehi, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, John Ogu, Elderson Echiejile, Joel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi.
25 mins until KO: Argentina XI: Franco Armani; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico; Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega; Enzo Perez, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria; Gonzalo Higuain.
26 mins until KO: Nigeria XI: Francis Uzoho; Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong; Victor Moses, Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, Oghenekaro Etebo, Brian Idowu; Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa.
28 mins until KO: Argentina, defeated finalists in 2014, know that they have to beat Nigeria this evening and hope that Croatia also defeat Iceland. Beyond that, things get extremely complicated and Jorge Sampaoli's side enter the match under severe pressure. Even if they do advance, the two-time World Cup winners have still fallen short of expectations so far.
30 mins until KO: Nigeria know qualification is within their hands as victory for the Super Eagles this evening will seal their spot in the round of 16. A draw will also be enough if Iceland do not beat Croatia. Things can get quite complicated though so expect the situation to change throughout the evening - I will keep your updated throughout!
30 mins until KO: Hello and welcome to live text commentary of the Group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Squads & Team News
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has rolled the dice as his side mount their last-gasp challenge to remain in Russia, with five changes made and a shift in formation to 4-3-3 in the hope of delivering better service to Lionel Messi, who has struggled so far to get himself on the ball.
Sergio Aguero is the biggest name dropped, despite scoring his side's only goal in Group D so far, as goalkeeper Willy Caballero following his horror-show against Croatia. The former makes way for Gonzalo Higuain while the latter is replaced by Franco Armani, winning his first cap.
Argentina XI: Armani; Mercado, Tagliafico, Rojo, Otamendi; Perez, Mascherano, Banega; Messi, Di Maria, Higuain.
Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr names an unchanged starting XI to the one that defeated Iceland 2-0, with John Obi Mikel able to play despite an arm injury.
The captain is expected to wear a special brace when he lines up in Saint Petersburg.
Nigeria XI: Uzoho; Omeruo, Troost-Ekong, Balogun; Idowu, Etebo, Mikel, Ndidi, Moses; Musa, Iheanacho.
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| FOX / Telemundo | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on BBC or streamed live online using the BBC iPlayer.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| BBC One | BBC iPlayer |