Nigeria vs. Argentina: Final Player Ratings

Ahmed Musa and Marcos Rojo traded goals shortly after the restart as Argentina edged Nigeria 3-2 in Porto Alegre.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring in this Group F encounter, and while Musa restored level terms less than 60 seconds later the Argentina captain put his side back in front with a free kick late in the first half.

Following are ratings and analysis for both sets of players.

Half-Time analysis for Nigeria

Vincent Enyeama: Stopped one Messi free kick but was helpless on the next one.

Efe Ambrose: Breaking at speed but needs to better combine with Odemwingie.

Joseph Yobo: Making his 100th appearance for Argentina today.

Kenneth Omeruo: The Chelsea man’s first pass has tended to be a good one.

Juwon Oshaniwa: Linking up nicely with Musa.

John Obi Mikel: A generally poor first half from the midfield general.

Ogenyi Onazi: Getting turned, and turned often.

Michel Babatunde: Passed the ball to Musa to set up the equaliser.

Ahmed Musa: The 21-year-old finished emphatically to temporarily level the scoreline.

Peter Odemwingie: A hero against Bosnia-Herzegovina, he has so far been a ghost against Argentina.

Emmanuel Emenike: Causing the Argentina defense a few problems with his speed.

Full-Time analysis for Nigeria

Vincent Enyeama: Made an excellent save on Di Maria late in the second half.

Efe Ambrose: Outplayed by Rojo after the restart.

Joseph Yobo: Not the quickest defender in the world, and it showed today.

Kenneth Omeruo: Chelsea have a real gem in the 20-year-old centre-back.

Juwon Oshaniwa: His combinations with Musa overwhelmed Zabaleta at times.

John Obi Mikel: Enjoyed a much better second half.

Ogenyi Onazi: Improved after the restart and took three shots while contributing four tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

Michel Babatunde: Faded in the second half and was replaced by Uchebo.

Ahmed Musa: He scored twice and was a consistent threat of goal.

Peter Odemwingie: Perhaps his display against Bosnia-Herzegovina was a one-off.

Emmanuel Emenike: Picked up an assist on Musa’s second.

Michael Uchebo: Completed 89 percent of his passes after replacing Babatunde.

Uche Nwofor: Touched the ball just seven times after coming on for the last 10 minutes.

Half-Time analysis for Argentina

Sergio Romero: Faced only one shot in the first half—the Musa goal.

Pablo Zabaleta: Could have done better to close down Musa.

Ezequiel Garay: Has so far completed all of his passes out of defense.

Federico Fernandez: Has won all of his aerial battles.

Marcos Rojo: Being kept in check by Ambrose.

Javier Mascherano: An early knock looked worrying but he was able to continue.

Fernando Gago: The Boca Juniors man touched the ball 50 times in the first half.

Angel Di Maria: Took the shot that led to Messi’s opener.

Lionel Messi: A third-minute opener and a late go-ahead goal for the captain.

Sergio Aguero: Clearly unfit, he was withdrawn through injury.

Gonzalo Higuain: Has so far taken just a single shot.

Lavezzi: Replaced Aguero in the 38th minute.

Full-Time analysis for Argentina

Sergio Romero: Well-beaten on both Musa goals and had made only a single save on the afternoon.

Pablo Zabaleta: Didn’t exactly shine opposite the excellent Musa.

Ezequiel Garay: Completed an exceptional 96 percent of his passes.

Federico Fernandez: Won everything in the air and consistently played a good first pass to the midfield.

Marcos Rojo: Scored his first international goal, and it proved the winner.

Javier Mascherano: Contributed an eye-popping seven tackles.

Fernando Gago: Moved the ball nicely although his lack of pace was exposed at times.

Angel Di Maria: Much as he tried, he just couldn’t buy a goal.

Lionel Messi: Withdrawn for a much-deserved rest in the 63rd minute.

Sergio Aguero: Clearly unfit, he was withdrawn through injury.

Gonzalo Higuain: Took just two shots and contributed very little.

Lavezzi: Was more involved than Higuain but managed only a single shot.

Ricardo Alvarez: The 26-year-old was the man to come on for Messi.

Lucas Biglia: Touched the ball just twice in a late cameo.