Argentina opened its World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday,clinging nervously to an early goal from Gabriel Heinze after failing to convert a number of clear opportunities.
Heinze scored with a diving header in the sixth minute after taking advantage of slack marking to power in a header from 12 meters (yards) from Juan Sebastian Veron’s corner.
The Nigerians boasted a clear height advantage,but struggled for much of the match to contain diminutive Argentina forward Lionel Messi,who tormented them with his piercing movement.
Striker Gonzalo Higuain failed to convert three good chances,including what seemed a certain goal in the fourth minute. Messi,too,came agonizingly close on several occasions.


