Nigeria’s participation at the 21st FIFA World Cup came to an end, after a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the final group D game on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the first half, latching on to a brilliant Ever Banega long pass to expertly slot pass Francis Uzoho with his weaker foot to put La Albiceleste 1-0 ahead.
The Super Eagles bounced back through a Victor Moses penalty to level scores at 1-1 early in the second half.
However, just when the Africans thought they had done enough for a point, which would have guaranteed them a place in the knockout phase, Argentina snatched victory.
Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo netted a late volley to hand the two-time winners the win, and all three points to advance to the round of 16 behind group winners, Croatia.
That result ensured Nigeria would be heading home and out of the competition, leaving Nigerians highly disappointed and heartbroken.
Many of them took to their social media accounts to voice their opinions-anger, with a number of them blaming former Watford star, Odion Ighalo, who had two chances to kill the game despite coming on as a second half substitute.
We captured some of the best reactions, and here they are;
Ighalo is certainly the new Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and Nigerians won’t be forgiving him anytime soon.
Ighalo when he walks into the changing room pic.twitter.com/HB9MXQyFjV
— ??????? s ?? (@StxNaty) June 26, 2018
I don't even know where to put all this anger… Ighalo and this government is useless!! #NGAARG
— Oga Web Designer?? (@samCodeNg) June 26, 2018
Ighalo better don't come to mainland #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/d5nlsvlnQz
— Adewale (@DONHALOGEN) June 26, 2018
I will never blame the Ref. Ighalo with 2 glorious chances he couldn't buried one. Do any1 noticed Rojo scored cos Moses lost concentration
— Wasiu ibn Obanla (@ObanlaWasiu) June 27, 2018
Ighalo should be questioned for missing that goal Sha. #NGAARG
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) June 26, 2018
When next Ighalo comes near the national team??#NGAARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YgvUMJ0M63
— ⓗⓐⓙⓘⓐ'ⓢ ⓣⓞⓨ™↯?? (@Cute_Olodo_ff) June 26, 2018
Na how we go take beat Ighalo for airport till e confess say e collect bribe from Argentina.#NGAARG pic.twitter.com/MV23HzERGg
— Man United in Pidgin (@ManUtdInPidgin) June 26, 2018
They really are hurt!
#NGAARG
My List Of People That Thunder Must Fire This Night:
Thunder Fire: Ighalo
Thunder Fire: That Useless Referee
Thunder Fire: Messi
Thunder Fire: VAR
Thunder Fire: Rojo
Infact Thunder Fire Buhari— Krypton (@krypton_E) June 26, 2018
When you present him with a clear opportunity to score goal. #NGAARG #ARGNIG
Ighalo: pic.twitter.com/5zVCpAZTnQ
— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (GCFR) (@Rouvafe) June 26, 2018
That goal Marcos Rojo scored, Odion IGHALO can never score it in the next 5 years!!! ABSOLUTE DEAD GUY#RUSSIA2018WITHWALE#NGAARG pic.twitter.com/RRjnx1S7S4
— OlaWale Agbede (@TheWaleAgbede) June 26, 2018
Odion Ighalo where are you???… I just want to talk. ??#NGAARG pic.twitter.com/cYERHDgUTu
— Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) June 26, 2018
Nigeria had two penalty appeals waved aside by the referee, despite consulting the VAR for one of them. It will be difficult to convince these ones that FIFA is fair, as they believe there is a campaign against African teams.
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES
VAR IS FOR THE WHITES #WorldCup #NGAARG— Horcel (@Horcel7) June 26, 2018
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.
Racism is real.#NGAARG #WorldCup— Victor Mochere (@VictorMochere) June 26, 2018
#NGAARG so this what the referee saw ???? pic.twitter.com/JI97CFemh0
— #Obasinga (@PrinceRaymondHD) June 26, 2018
VAR is for big team only #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/MHncxxMk34
— Davy Tsopo (@TsopoTinashe) June 26, 2018
We didn't play against Argentina today we played against FIFA #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/AGkZJEXsex
— Uncle Uni (@UncleUnilorin) June 26, 2018
After watching this match I just have one thing to say… "Racism will never stop in dz world as long as there are people who think they should have more opportunities and be treated better than others". Thank you Fifa Referee, we Nigerians have seen how 'Fair' you are.#NGAARG
— Human Being? (@Gidd_Gr8t) June 26, 2018
They preach against racism yet they are silent RACISTS ? #FIFA #NGAARG
— Oga Web Designer?? (@samCodeNg) June 26, 2018
The same exact decision that went Iran’s way after VAR (Defender heading the ball onto his hand) was the same one that Nigeria didn’t get after VAR.
Which way FIFA???? #WorldCup #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/M4OdWVZDjD
— ? DaddyMo PhD CEng ? (@officialdaddymo) June 26, 2018
For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against demons, against rulers & forces of darkness in high places ?
The INEC
The DSS
The Military
The Herdsmen
The NPF / SARs
The Boko Haram terrorists
The President
The Referee!!!They all collude to cause us suffering?#NGAARG
— Adetutu Balogun (@Tutsy22) June 26, 2018
Rojo's handball was a clear penalty
Rojo's handball was a clear penalty
Nigeria was robbed
Nigeria was robbed
Africa has been robbed
Africa has been robbed
Black man has been robbed
Black man has been robbed
Black nations has been robbed
VAR is against African teams#NGAARG— Lord Disturbing (@theDamorela) June 26, 2018
#NGAARG
They sha wanted Messi to qualify, it was obvious in every thing that happened in the match today.
As for Ighalo and Iheanacho you are now on Nigeria hall of shame with Yakubu and one 85 years old man like that.Nice game Nigerians, we keep the passion flowing.
— ♚ Ugℓу Nαke∂ Gυу ???? (@t_riumphant) June 26, 2018
Everyone should feel for #Nigeria who were ROBBED by the ref. #NGAARG #WorldCup
— Kienan Wear (@kienanwear) June 26, 2018
Nevertheless, the Super Eagles won’t be playing any further games in Russia, but for these Nigerians, they remain proud of their performance.
Great game @NGSuperEagles. The score line doesn’t fluctuate the position of our hearts. We won together, we lost together. We remain proud of you guys. #NGAARG
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 26, 2018
I'm proud of Nigeria. They fought Hard
I'm proud of Nigeria. They fought Hard
I'm proud of Nigeria. They fought Hard
I'm proud of Nigeria. They fought Hard
I'm proud of Nigeria. They fought Hard#NGAARG?? pic.twitter.com/flsqpIfGoK
— Fresh Prince (@iamwytunes) June 26, 2018
#Supereagles were at their absolute best today! A loss against the talents of #Argentina is not necessarily a sad day; we lost to a good team & arguably the best world player in #Messi.
We are very proud of you all??⚽️??! #soarsupereagles #ARGNGR #worldcup2018 #stepheneze pic.twitter.com/J1iwv9KEO9— StephenEzeOfficial (@DefendLikeEze) June 26, 2018
Sadly, it’s all over for the #SuperEagles & their crazy, passionate fans. You had more than just a cool kit. You had spirit & pride. We made a lot of new friends; some will stay, some will go but one day we hope to see you in Rome or visit you in Lagos!
Still #ForzaSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/ASIGgz3hNO
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 26, 2018
There were over 66,000 people in that stadium. 65,500 were rooting for Argentina, which, by the way, has one of the greatest players OF ALL TIME. Impossible odds, but we went down fighting. That's why I cheered like a mad man, that's why I'm proud of the Super Eagles. #NGAARG
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) June 26, 2018
We stand tall. Not our best game. We Triumph still. The youngest team in the tournament held Messi, Aguero and Mascherano to the sword. Head high boys ?? pic.twitter.com/1nh9xJAYcA
— idiareno (@id49ja) June 26, 2018
Well done @NGSuperEagles. All a man can do is his best & you left it all on the field.I look forward to the future with a lot of hope because I know this bunch of Eagles will definitely bring glory to Naija. Well done @thenff for a great job.On to the next one.#Team9jaStrong
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) June 26, 2018
And finally, some advice for the Nigeria Football Association from these supporters on how the team should return home and the way forward.
I hope we can resist the post tournament chaos that usually comes with early exits in tournament s. This is a good group and the manager clearly knows how to get them to respond to him. Renew his contract. Keep the players. Reelect Amaju. But…this is Nigeria. Expert chaos.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) June 26, 2018
Pls Nigeria, let’s keep Rohr. He met us at our lowest ebb, not qualifying for ordinary AFCON. Under him, we qualified for the WC from a tough group when no one gave us a chance. Now we are disappointed not qualifying from our WC group by 5 minutes. I see progress. #KeepRohr
— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) June 26, 2018
