For the second time in a World Cup opener, Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0 on Saturday to claim three points and start off the tournament on the right foot.
But although La Albiceleste came through with a win, head coach Diego Maradona wasn’t all that satisfied with his team’s inability to find the back of the net.
“We missed seven chances in front of goal and they almost tied,” said Maradona, who felt that the game shouldn’t have been that close. “Those who forgive…end up paying for it on their own end.
“We suffered in the final minutes. Thank God the tie didn’t come.”
The fact that Argentina didn’t score any more goals was largely due to the play of Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who enjoyed perhaps the best game of any player in the match.
The Super Eagles keeper denied Lionel Messi three times and Gonzalo Higuaín twice to keep Nigeria in the game.
Maradona did shed some praise on the cause of Argentina’s scoring troubles, and also said it appeared as though his players just couldn’t seem find the target.
“If we would have taken advantage of our chances, with three or four goals, they wouldn’t have [troubled us] at the end,” Maradona said. “We took an important step today, but we have to improve a lot to grow as a team and reach the seventh game.”
Argentina next face South Korea on Thursday, June 17. South Korea also won their match on Saturday night, defeating Greece 2-0, and lead Group B based on goal differential.
