Argentina Staves Off World Cup Failure in Thriller, Legend Diego Maradona Flips Off Crowd

By Aidan McLaughlinJun 26th, 2018, 4:58 pm
 

Argentina were having a tragic World Cup. On Tuesday morning, just four years after making it to the finals the last time around, superstar Lionel Messi‘s team sat at the bottom of its group.

Then came the thrilling clash against Nigeria.

Diego Maradona, Argentinian legend and prodigious coke-head, kept his spirits high ahead of the vital match — and his reactions throughout would prove a guide for the rollercoaster-ride showdown.

Straight out the gate, Messi scored a cracking goal, taking down a splendid ball from Ever Banagea before mashing it past Nigeria’s keeper into the side netting.

LOOK AT THAT!

Maradona was invigorated:

 

Then Argentina fell apart. The implosion culminated in a foolishly conceded penalty in the 51st minute. Victor Moses coolly played the ball into the left side of the goal, after Argentinian keeper Franco Armani had already plunged.

There was a backflip:

Let’s check in with Marad– oh no…

The absolute nail-biter revved along at Di Maria speeds, and in the chaos Argentina’s Javier Mascherano somehow played the last 20 minutes with blood gushing from his face.

Then came the 86th minute, which brought magic from an unexpected foot: Marcos Rojo, perennial disappointment of Manchester and now Argentina’s savior, who twatted a gorgeous volley into the bottom left corner.

Maradona was back on his jittering feet:

Sensational. With that, Argentina secured their position in the second round of the World Cup, knocking out Nigeria. Messi’s Rojo’s side will face France in the round of 16.

[image via screengrab]

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Aidan McLaughlin - Editor in Chief

Aidan McLaughlin is the Editor in Chief of Mediaite. Send tips via email: aidan@mediaite.com. Ask for Signal. Follow him on Twitter: @aidnmclaughlin