Nigeria 1-2 Argentina

Argentina qualified for the knock out rounds of the World Cup in dramatic fashion, thanks to a stunning late winner from Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo. Argentina entered the final group stage game needing a win to have any hope of qualifying. The struggling South American giants took the lead in the first half, thanks to Lionel Messi finally opening his account for the tournament. Ever Banega played a sumptuous through ball from midfield, and Messi took two touches that could reasonably be described as erotic, before firing the ball into the back of the net.

Nigeria equalized after the break though, as former Liverpool and Barcelona man Javier Mascherano dragged down a player in the box at a corner. Chelsea’s Victor Moses stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past the understudy to the understudy to our sadly injured Sergio Romero.

Nigeria weren’t done either. Rojo was lucky not to concede a penalty for a handball in the box, but after a VAR review, the referee somewhat bizarrely decided not to award a spot kick.

For the better part of half an hour, it looked like Nigeria would make it out of the group at Argentina’s expense. But then in the 87th minute, enter Marcos Rojo, who sent Argentina through with a right-footed bang and wallop.

Other Manchester United points of interest

In other United-related news, Paul Pogba sat out France’s 0-0 with Denmark, either for rest or precaution against picking up a needless yellow card. Didier Deschamps continues to make clay out of gold.

On Monday, David de Gea and Spain somehow managed to top their group despite not looking up to much since they fired their coach two days before the tournament started. De Gea conceded two more goals, but Iago Aspas scored late to secure the much-needed draw.

On Sunday, England obliterated Tunisia to the tune of 6 goals to 1. Marcus Rashford was an unused sub, Ashley Young got another start, and our Jesse Lingard did this:

QUE GOLAZO, indeed.

On Saturday, Victor Lindelöf defended gamely, but he couldn’t stop Sweden from falling to an injury time stunner from Germany’s Toni Kroos.