Diego Maradona has eased fears over his health after needing to be seen by paramedics during Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria on Tuesday night, with the World Cup legend insisting he is “fine” and that his scare was simply due to too much white wine.

Maradona was at the St Petersburg Stadium to cheer on Argentina in their must-win encounter against the African nation, with a late goal from Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo ensuring that the 2014 World Cup finalists beat both Nigeria and Iceland to the second qualification berth in Group D.

The 1986 World Cup winner was very much the centre of attention throughout the evening as he waved to fans, soaked up their adulation and passionately cheered on the South American side. He also landed himself in controversy after being shown on live television swearing at fans in the immediate aftermath of Rojo’s winner.

Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Show all 22 1 /22 Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Francis Uzoho 6 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Nigeria's Francis Uzoho saves a shot on goal REUTERS/Jorge Silva JORGE SILVA REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Kenneth Omeruo 6 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain in action with Nigeria's Kenneth Omeruo REUTERS/Sergio Perez SERGIO PEREZ REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Leon Balogun 5 Argentina's forward Angel Di Maria (front) is fouled by Nigeria's defender Leon Balogun during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Giuseppe CACACE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSGIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images GIUSEPPE CACACE AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 William Troost-Ekong 6 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain in action with Nigeria's William Troost-Ekong REUTERS/Sergio Perez SERGIO PEREZ REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Victor Moses 6 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Nigeria's Victor Moses in action REUTERS/Henry Romero HENRY ROMERO REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Oghenekaro Etebo 6 Nigeria's midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo (L) vies for the ball with Argentina's forward Lionel Messi during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images CHRISTOPHE SIMON AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Wilfred Ndidi 5 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi in action with Argentina's Ever Banega REUTERS/Henry Romero HENRY ROMERO REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 John Obi Mikel 7 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Nigeria's John Obi Mikel gestures REUTERS/Henry Romero HENRY ROMERO REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Bryan Idowu 5 epa06842483 Lionel Messi of Argentina (L) reacts after scoring the 1-0 as Bryan Idowu of Nigeria looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Nigeria and Argentina in St.Petersburg, Russia, 26 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Ahmed Musa 6 Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa runs with the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images CHRISTOPHE SIMON AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Kelechi Iheanacho 5 Nigeria's forward Kelechi Iheanacho (R) is marked by Argentina's defender Marcos Rojo during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSPAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images PAUL ELLIS AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Franco Armani 6 Argentina's goalkeeper Franco Armani (R) shoots the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSPAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images PAUL ELLIS AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Gabriel Mercado 6 Nigeria's Brian Idowu (left) and Argentina's Gabriel Mercado (right) battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Group D match at Saint Petersburg Stadium. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 26, 2018. See PA story WORLDCUP Nigeria. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use with any unofficial 3rd party logos. No manipulation of images. No video emulation Owen Humphreys PA Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Nicolas Otamendi 5 Soccer Football - World Cup - Group D - Nigeria vs Argentina - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 26, 2018 Nigeria's Oghenekaro Etebo in action with Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi REUTERS/Jorge Silva JORGE SILVA REUTERS Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Marcos Rojo 7 From left, Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Rojo, argue with referee Cuneyt Cakir during the group D match between Argentina and Nigeria, at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Ricardo Mazalan AP Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Nicolas Tagliafico 5 Argentina's coach Jorge Sampaoli (R) speaks to his players as Argentina's defender Nicolas Tagliafico (C) takes a throw in during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Giuseppe CACACE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSGIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images GIUSEPPE CACACE AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Enzo Perez 5 Argentina's midfielder Enzo Perez (R) marks Nigeria's midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images CHRISTOPHE SIMON AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Javier Mascherano 4 Nigeria's forward Kelechi Iheanacho (L) and Argentina's midfielder Javier Mascherano compete for the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSGABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images GABRIEL BOUYS AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Ever Banega 7 Argentina's Ever Banega, right, is tackled by Nigeria's Onyinye Ndidi during the group D match between Argentina and Nigeria, at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Ricardo Mazalan AP Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Angel Di Maria 5 Argentina's forward Angel Di Maria tries to save the ball from going out during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Giuseppe CACACE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSGIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images GIUSEPPE CACACE AFP/Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Lionel Messi 7 SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Alex Livesey Getty Images Nigeria vs Argentina player ratings: World Cup 2018 Gonzalo Higuain 6 epa06842570 Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (L) of Nigeria and Gonzalo Higuain of Argentina in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Nigeria and Argentina in St.Petersburg, Russia, 26 June 2018. 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However, fears were quickly raised over his half after videos emerged on social media showing Maradona being assisted from his seat, before a picture of him with paramedics surfaced. Reports claimed that he was taken to hospital, but Maradona himself has announced that he did not require hospital treatment.

Maradona sent a voice message to fellow Argentinian Daniel Arcucci, urging the journalist to publish it so that everyone knew he was alive and well, following a series of false death reports on social media.

“I swear on the lives of my mum, my grandson Benjamin and my son Dieguito Fernando’s life that nothing happened,” Maradona could be heard saying.

“At the end of the first half we went to eat. I like red wine and there was white wine.”

“Where we were they were only serving white wine. Yes, we drank all the wine, but now I’m talking to you and I’m telling you the truth.

Maradona also contacted his partner, Rocio Oliva, to say that he was fine and that she should not believe false reports on social media that he had suffered heart trouble or anything worse.

The Argentina great has been a prominent figures at the World Cup (Getty)

“Hello my love. No heart attack, no injection, nothing,” Maradona said in a WhatsApp message.

“I don’t know where they’re getting it from that I had heart problems or I had to be an adrenaline shot.

“It all seems so mad, so stupid.”

However, a second message appeared to contradict what he said to Arcucci as he denied having any alcohol.

“It’s 3am and we’re just getting back to Moscow without any problems. No alcohol or important story.”

Explained what was wrong with him, Maradona said on Instagram that he was suffering from neck pain at half-time and had ignored medical advice to go home before the end of the game.

"I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not [ill], neither was I [admitted to hospital],” Maradona wrote.

"At half-time of the game against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot... I was checked by a doctor and he recommended me to go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all. How could I leave? I send a kiss to everyone, thanks for the support!"

Patricia Villegas, president of Latin American broadcaster teleSUR, also played down those fears by posting an image on social media later in the night that showed Maradona in much better health, as she boarded a flight with the 57-year-old back to Moscow.

Villegas said: "1:41am Russia. About to (fly). Diego: Are you in hospital?"

Maradona had to be helped from his seat after Argentina's victory over Nigeria (Angel de Brito)

Maradona had earlier been filmed manically celebrating Rojo’s late winning goal and swearing at supporters and was branded a “laughing stock” by BBC presenter Gary Lineker.

As television cameras swung his way, seconds after the ball hit the back of Nigeria’s net, Maradona thrust middle-finger gestures with both hands.

Maradona celebrated Argentina's winner by swearing at fans (AFP)

“There's Diego Maradona celebrating,” said Lineker. “I think he might make the papers for a different kind of celebration, there's a danger he's becoming a laughing stock I'm afraid.

“[He's] let himself down with that celebration. You understand how he's euphoric, but this kind of reaction... Really, Diego?”

Maradona pictured celebrating Lionel Messi's opening goal (Getty Images) (Getty)

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was also less impressed with Maradona's antics. “His career as a football player on the pitch was up there with the best,” added pundit Rio Ferdinand.

“Unfortunately there are moments like this that do arise it's not nice to see that let him down.”

BBC sports presenter Dan Walker wrote on Twitter: “And that’s why you don’t show Maradona no matter how good he was in his prime.”

It is not the first time that Maradona has made the headlines for his antics in Russia.

He was accused of making a racist gesture by ITV presenter Jacqui Oatley while watching the 1-1 draw between Argentina and Iceland last week.

“Maradona not so cool now. Some South Korea fans just shouted “Diego” and he obliged with a smile, kiss and wave. Then pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture. All of us who saw it are stunned,” Oatley posted on Twitter.