Argentina player ratings vs Nigeria: Lionel Messi rises to ultimate occasion

Striker: Gonzalo Higuain – 5.5/10

Missed a glaring chance moments before Marcos Rojo sent the Argentine contingent into euphoria.

That was about as good as it got for Higuain, who should have been left on the bench instead of Sergio Aguero.

The Juventus man looked leggy, couldn’t keep up with the electric Messi and, like Angel di Maria, never really demonstrated the incisiveness La Albiceleste require to go deeper in the tournament.

Striker: Lionel Messi – 8.5/10

A first half display of Messi-like dynamism silenced a whole load of critics and Ronaldo-backers.

Messi notched an exquisite goal to get off the mark for this World Cup, and he was in fervent mood from the outset.

His typically brilliant touches, passing and sharp vision kept Nigeria on their toes all night. And with fellow legend Diego Maradona watching from the stands, it was apt Messi emerged as his usual self.

Hopefully he can keep it up.