Within the opening minute, Messi makes an incisive run at the Nigerian defence, immediately putting them on the back foot.

Messi slaloms through the centre and squares for an unmarked Higuaín six yards out, but Higuaín side-foots wide with only Enyeama to beat.

Messi fashions space outside the area and unleashes a goalbound shot that Enyeama tips over the bar.

Released by a fine Verón pass, Messi sprints through the middle but Enyeama reads it well and comes out to collect.

After another determined central run, Messi curls a low effort toward the far corner, forcing Enyeama into a sharp save down to his right.

Haruna tries to track Messi but repeatedly fails, underlining Messi’s constant movement and menace between the lines.

Messi draws a foul from Obasi on the right flank, winning a dangerous free-kick for Argentina.

From the worked free-kick, Messi exchanges a one-two with Mascherano and fires toward the top corner, but Enyeama’s fingertips divert it wide.

Messi is chopped down a few yards outside the box on the left, earning Argentina another prime free-kick opportunity.

Verón’s low cross finds Messi in the area, and his delicate flick toward the far corner drifts just wide.

Messi makes a darting diagonal run into the box and gets a shot away, but a Nigerian defender blocks it for a corner.

On a four‑on‑two break, Tevez’s pass arrives slightly behind Messi, who adjusts and curls inches wide of the far post.

After Di María wins a corner, Messi attempts a rehearsed "Beckham-Scholes" style volley with Verón, but Verón slices his shot wide.

Messi is tripped by Odemwingie just outside the box, again earning a dangerous free-kick for Argentina.

Standing over the 25‑yard free-kick, Messi goes for goal but his effort sails well over the crossbar.

Haruna arrives late on Messi and is shown a yellow card for the challenge.

Messi and Di María exchange a sublime one-two that sends Messi clean through, but Enyeama again makes himself big to block the shot.

In the final minutes, Messi almost breaks through on goal but is forced wide and has to settle for winning a corner, which Argentina take short.