2008 Olympic Final: Argentina vs Nigeria LIVE

In less then 45 minutes Argentina will take the field at the National Stadium in Pekin where they will hope to defend their Gold Medal against a determined Nigeria side in the 2008 Olympic Final. After a rousing victory against Brazil in the semi’s, Sergio Batista’s squad must band together one more time if they are to claim the title, as well as put the heartbreaking loss from the 1996 Olympic Final, also against Nigeria, behind them.

You can follow the game live on CNBC and TELEMUNDO at 12PM ET/9PM PT, and at NBColympics.com/soccer. Please follow along here at the Argentina World Cup Blog with your thoughts on what will hopefully be a great game of football that will end in victory for Argentina. Suerte!

Argentina Starting XI:
Monzon, Pareja, Garay, Zabaleta
Riquelme, Mascherano, Gago, Messi
Di Maria, Aguero
Romero

First Half

0:00: And we’re off!

2:50: And right away Messi serves to Aguero who appears to be brought down in the box, but no call is given. The replay shows a slight push, but not enough at this early in the game.

5:30: And minutes later Nigeria gets it first shot on goal that luckily finds Romero, but it’s a sign of Nigeria’s determination to push forward.

8:44: What a run for Angel Di Maria who explodes down the pitch and has to get taken down just outside the box. A perfect opportunity for Riquelme know to get Argentina up early.

9:56: Ooo, Roman boots it way off target. Let’s hope we see fewer missed chances.

13:25: Both teams seem to have calmed down after the opening minutes. Argentina seem to be holding possession well, but with the exception of two chances haven’t looked threatening. Yet.

16:22: Di Maria is looking great.

17:32: Maybe not the great. A perfect cross from Zabaleta finds Di Maria, but his strike is off.

19:29: The team seems way to cautious in pushing forward, and overall, but squads are playing far too conservatively.

21:17: Another questionable foul in the penalty box, as it appears that Messi is tripped in the area, but the referee isn’t buying it and play continues.

23:00: Nigeria again comes close, but the ball sails safely over Romero’s head.

24:20: Another strike from Nigeria now hits Romero square in the chest which he holds on too, but Nigeria are starting to look dangerous.

26:30: We’re over the halfway mark, and while Argentina looks flat, it was perhaps expected. After a rousing victory against Brazil, la albiceleste would take the final a bit more cautiously. The result unfortunately may be a rather dull final.

30:24: A water break is taken by the teams.

32:00: Andres Cantor mentions Messi’s poor passing this game, and it’s hard to disagree.

33:33: Ay Dios! Nigeria come withing inches to scoring. First a cross passes in front of goal which thankfully passes without threat, but on the follow up a header forces Romero to stretch out to prevent the ball from going past him. Argentina’s defense is just not built to handle Nigeria’s attack, and they currently have all the advantage.

38:38: Argentina are playing like it’s the opening game in the group stage as opposed to a final. Maybe it’s the heat, but Argentina are lost at the moment. Neither Messi nor Riquelme seem much involved in the attack, and Aguero does not look sharp up front.

39:20: Aguero gets in a header but it goes straight to the keeper’s gloves.

44:36: And Monzon hits a wicked shot that the Nigerian keeper just punches away. A beautiful strike.

END FIRST HALF
Argentina 0 – 0 Nigeria

And thankfully that half is put to an end. The stifling heat seems to be taking its toll on Argentina, who are just not coming together. Both Messi and Riquelme are just not getting involved in the play, and the defense is not matching up to Nigeria. There’s still plenty of time left, but if this keeps up, expect a tight second half, where one mistake could mean the difference between gold and silver.

SECOND HALF

45:23: And we’re back. No substitutions yet.

46:26: And Aguero is denied by the Nigerian keeper!

47:16: A great start for Argentina to begin the half. Much more focused, although the passes could still be executed better.

49:30: And Messi hits a shot that is just saved!

52:39: Already this is a better half from Argentina who seem much more concentrated. Still, I don’t see this game having more than 1 goal.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOOLLLLLL ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

57:00: And Di Maria, arguably the best player for Argentina today, chips Messi’s pass over the keeper’s head and we’re up 1-0!! From 50 yards out! Let’s see if Argentina can keep their head in the game as Nigeria looks to equalize.

52:30: Argentina have come alive and are in control of the game. Much better possession now, and the attack is coming together.

67:12: Cheap tackle just on the edge of the penalty area. If Riquelme can bend this one in Argentina will have one hand on the gold.

68:00: Argentina will have to wait on the second goal, after another poor effort from Riquelme.

69:52: Another water break. 89 degrees, 43% humidity, and even higher on the pitch. Ridiculous choice for a start time.

71:36: Nigeria comes dangerously close when an errant ball comes a bit to close to Romero’s near post.

73:36: Di Maria gets Argentina’s first yellow.

73:35: Sosa warming up on the sidelines.

74:25: Nigeria are really attacking Argentina’s defense now.

75:13: Messi puts his on his best sequence of the game, avoiding three defenders to find a charging Aguero who just can’t pull a shot off.

77:00: Messi has space to run at goal, but his touch is just off.

78:12: Hold on for the next 10 minutes. Nigeria have come alive and there will be some tense moments from here on.

78:46: Sosa replaces Aguero.

81:53: Ridiculous yellow card for Riquelme who is booked for time wasting.

83:53: Romero just holds on to the ball as it nearly squeaks past. I certainly want Argentina to win, but it’s almost a shame we haven’t seen Nigeria score. Almost.

86:48: Ever Banega will be coming in for Di Maria, who looks injured.

88:54: Corner for Nigeria. Hold on.

90:18: 5 minutes of extra time?!?

91:50: Lavezzi comes in for Messi. Not his best game, but even so he sets up what seems to be the game winning goal.

ARGENTINA CAMPEON!!!!!!

FULL TIME
Argentina 1 – 0 Nigeria

After some scares in the final seconds, the whistle blows and Argentina have won the Olympic gold medal, defeating a strong Nigeria side to avenge their 96 final loss, and retain the title won 4 years ago in Athens.

While not the most beautiful display from Argentina, and after a weak first half, Argentina came together just at the right time to earn a deserved victory.

I want to thank everyone for following along at the Argentina World Cup Blog for the past few weeks. Your input, comments, mad rants, and passion, have made this tournament even more enjoyable, and coming here every day has been some of the most fun I’ve had since joining this site. And for our crazy passion, we are now rewarded in gold.

Look for more updates soon in the coming year as we look to make the blog better and better. For now, enjoy Argentina Campeon!

Chau chau,

Christian