FIFA World Cup: Nigeria 0 Argentina 1

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Tue, 26 June 2018

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23:53 FIFA World Cup: Nigeria 0 Argentina 1

"Welcome to Russia 2018, Lionel Messi," Gary Linekar tweets.

Messi's strike was his sixth goal at the World Cup, with 50 per cent of those coming against Nigeria (two in 2014, one tonight).

23:47 FIFA World Cup: Nigeria 0 Argentina 1

Argentina, needing to win at all costs to progress, dominate the early proceedings following kick-off.

Captain Messi makes an early run into the final third and is brutally hacked to the ground by Jon Obi Mikel, his Nigerian counterpart in the sixth minute.

Barely a minute later Argentine defender takes a shot from twenty yards out and the ball sails over the crossbar.

Argentina have the lead in the 14th minute after Messi expertly chests down a spectacular forty yard cross field ball by Banega and hammers the ball into the top corner to give his team the early lead and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Goal!

Nigeria 0-1 Argentina

23:37 FIFA World Cup: Nigeria 0 Argentina 0

Argentina are in their blue and white stripes. Nigeria are in dark green.

The atmosphere is electric. Both teams need to win. Should make it a good game.

Sampaoli has gone with the third different formation in three games. 4-4-2 against Nigeria tonight.

Argentina changed goalkeepers for their final World Cup Group D match against Nigeria on Tuesday, with Franco Armani starting in place of the error-prone Willy Caballero and striker Gonzalo Higuain also getting his first start.

Caballero, who was at fault for the first goal in Argentina's 3-0 defeat by Croatia, drops to the bench along with Sergio Aguero, as coach Jorge Sampaoli followed through on his pre-match promise not to stick with established names.

Centre back Marcos Rojo returns as Sampaoli reverts to a back four, while Ever Banega is also brought in to add some bite in midfield in a match Argentina, who are bottom of the group, must win to stand any chance of progressing.

Coverage: FIFA World Cup 2018

Nigeria made no changes to the team that beat Iceland 2-0, with coach Gernot Rohr signalling his intent to attack rather than sit back and defend.

Game over!

Denmark 0 France 0

But the fans were not happy with the effort by the two teams.

For the first time in 38 games at this World Cup, we've had a goalless draw France top Group C, Denmark finish second. Peru and Australia go home

21:14

Giroud pulled down by Kjaer in the box. He looks for a penalty but no chance says referee and VAR too not interested.

21:12

Kylian Mbappe replaces Ousmane Dembele. Will we witness some goals?

But it is Fekir again who forces Schmeichel to make a save with a low drive.

20:59 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

Nabil Fekir came in for Antoine Griezmann in the 69th minute and is already making his presence felt.

Fekir picks up the ball on the inside left channel and unleashes a curling shot from 25 yards but it hits the side-netting. Sigh!

20:51 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

Denmark make their first change as Pione Sisto is replaced by Viktor Fischer in the 60th minute.

Denmark are attacking in the second half. If they win, they will play either Argentina or Nigeria or Iceland in the last 16.

20:48 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

First change for France: Benjamin Mendy on for Lucas Hernandez in 51st minute.

Meanwhile, Peru have doubled their lead over Australia.

20:25 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0 at halftime

At halftime it is goalless. If the score remains the same it will be this tournament's first scoreless draw in 38 matches.

Also, this result works in both teams' favour.

France, who are already through to the last 16, need just a point to confirm themselves as Group C winners, while a point for Denmark will send them through as runners-up.

20:13 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

Denmark are solid in defence while France continue to dominate possession. But France fail to finish.

Eriksen, the classy Dane, has dropped back to make it harder for the French to find the net.

20:04 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

Simon Kjaer goes down holding his head after an accidental blow to the head but he is fine to continue.

Close!!!

One of the best chances came for Denmark in the 29th minute on the counter. Cornelius with the ball but when Eriksen gets to it, he is bundled over. Looked like a penalty but the referee plays on.

19:56

In the other game, Peru have taken a 1-0 lead against Australia.

France is dominating possession.

But the Danes win a corner and the brilliant Christian Eriksen puts in a threatening ball which Raphael Varane clears.

19:52 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

Lucas Hernandez is brought down in the box and the ball falls to Olivier Giroud, whose shoots it wide.

Denmark struggling in attack. No presence up front.

Here's what is stored for Denmark:

If Denmark win then they go through as group winners, France runners-up.

If Denmark draw then they go through as runners-up alongside France.

If Denmark lose then Australia must win if they're to go through as runners-up.

19:42 FIFA World Cup: Denmark 0 France 0

France are dominating the early stages but Djibril Sidibe's cross was easily cleared.

Denmark too gets going.

Martin Braithwaite goes on to drive into the penalty area. But the Dane didn't have a case for a penalty. No VAR

France coach Didier Deschamps, with his side already qualified for the next round, has made six changes to his starting line-up for their final World Cup Group C match against Denmark at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday.

Ousmane Dembele, who came on for Kylian Mbappe late in the 1-0 win over Peru, and Thomas Lemar will support Olivier Giroud up front as France look to dispel suggestions -- including from Danish coach Age Hareide -- that they lack quality.

Deschamps is resting midfielders Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso and Blaise Matuidi, who all risk suspension if booked, and also gives a game to Hugo Lloris's understudy in goal, Steve Mandanda.

Hareide, whose side need a win to be sure of qualifying but could progress even if they lose, makes three changes from the side that drew 1-1 with third-placed Australia.

Andreas Cornelius and France-based Martin Braithwaite start up front in place of Nicolai Jorgensen and the suspended Yussuf Poulsen. Matthias Jorgensen comes in at the back as Andreas Christensen takes the place of Lasse Schone in midfield.

Peter Schmeichel has told son and fellow goalkeeper Kasper that Danish destiny is in his hands as Denmark head in to a clash against France on Tuesday that has uncanny echoes of his own World Cup campaign 20 years ago.

"20 years ago to the day I played against France in Denmark's final group game with destiny in our own hands," the former Manchester United great tweeted late on Sunday.

"You can do it Denmark."

By uncanny coincidence, Denmark and then hosts France were drawn in the same four-team pool -- Group C -- back in 1998.

After the first two games, they were in exactly the same positions, with France qualified already on 6 points and Denmark on 4 and needing a draw to be sure of reaching the next round.

The younger Schmeichel, who plays for Leicester City, looks a lot like his blond, vocal and imposing father.This year, it is Australia who find themselves with 1 point and needing to beat pointless Peru on Tuesday, hope France beat Denmark and hope they will overhaul the Danes' goal difference.

Some Australians fear France and Denmark might settle for a draw that would suit both.

But the Danes, who in 1998 went on to reach the quarter-finals helped by another family duo, the Laudrup brothers, may be wiser to follow the elder goalkeeping Schmeichel's advice -- to keep their destiny in their own hands.

Coverage: FIFA World Cup 2018

01:31 FIFA World Cup: Spain 2 Morocco 2 full time

What a match! It ends with Spain winning the group. And will face hosts Russia in Round of 16.

Iran have drawn 1-1 with Portugal, who go through to face Uruguay.

01:23 FIFA World Cup: Spain 2 Morocco 2

Iago Aspas scores a goal off a corner which was disallowed for offside but it was overturned by VAR.

In the other game Iran 1 Portugal 1.

What a twist!!!

01:15 FIFA World Cup: Spain 1 Morocco 2

This game was getting boring. What a comeback from Morocco in 81st minute!!!

Morocco lead through a header from the substitute Youssef En-Nesyri that came off a corner.

Spain 1 Morocco 2

01:05

Two quick changes for Spain, Asensio and Aspas replace Diego Costa and Thiago.

00:58

This game is a cracker. Spain are starting to look dangerous again.

Close!!! In the 62nd minute Isco sent a right-wing cross towards the far post, and it was drifting into the net until Saiss stretched to head it just past the post.

00:47 FIFA World Cup: Spain 1 Morocco 1

For the second time this match, Pique goes unpunished. Definite handball on the edge of his own area.

Meanwhile, in the other game Ronaldo was denied a penalty with a brilliant save.

It's still Iran 0 Portugal 1.

00:20 FIFA World Cup: Spain 1 Morocco 1 at halftime

Spain is really beginning to tilt the game to their side. Iniesta and Isco have been excellent.

Morocco can't get out of their half now.

Earlier, Spain responded quickly to Morocco's 14th-minute goal.

On the other hand, Morocco were seen stacking up the yellow cards. Four so far.

In the other game, Ricardo Quaresma gave Portugal 1-0 lead over Iran.