Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has revealed how team captain Lionel Messi played a crucial role in leading Argentina to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in their final Group D at the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

Messi had been seen rallying his team during the halftime interval of the vital game.

Argentina needed a win against the three-time African champions and Rojo produced an 86th minute winner in their hour of need.

It was his second successive World Cup goal against the Super Eagles of Nigeria having scored in a 3-2 win at the last World Cup edition in Brazil.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi had given Argentina the lead in the 14th minute with the 100th goal of the tournament before it was cancelled out by Victor Moses’ second half penalty only for Rojo to surprisingly produce the winner with four minutes left to an early World Cup elimination for the Argentines.

When asked about his winner, Marcos Rojo said: “During halftime, Messi said that all of us have the duty to score so whenever we get the chance, we shoot, no matter our position… So when I saw that ball coming towards me, I kicked it in with all that I had in me and [laughs] it went in!”

Argentina will now face Group C winners France in the last 16 on Saturday.

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