Matthew Futterman: Argentina seems to be using the “best defense is a good offense” approach. They’ve been a bit wobbly and sloppy back there all tournament and that has continued tonight, but Nigeria has not been able to make them pay or really even control the ball at all in the attacking third.

22’: Argentina Keeps Up Pressure

Nigeria’s Uzuho, their 19-year-old goalkeeper, shows his inexperience after his team wins a throw in its own end, sends it to him to blast long, and instead he sends it directly out into the stands — giving it right back to Argentina. The pressure will continue.

20’: Nigeria’s Youth Showing

Oghenekaro Etebo almost begging for a yellow now; he shoved down Di Maria at midfield, didn’t like the call, squared up with Cakir and then threw the ball away. Cakir takes mercy on the young player, though, and gives him the “OK, we’re not going to be doing this son” talk, and spares him the yellow. Nigeria’s youth showed a bit there, but the veteran ref let them off.

18’: Relief for Argentina

That goal was really the first space Messi has enjoyed all night, and he punished Nigeria for allowing it. The relief seems almost palpable. As if they know they can do this now, that it might be all right if they can just keep this up.

17’: DiMaria Steps Up

DiMaria takes a whack to the ankle to win a free kick way out on the left, about 10 yards from the end line. He’ll take it himself.

Matthew Futterman: By my estimate, fully 80 percent of this crowd is wearing some form of light blue and white. The Argentina base is like the Pittsburgh Steelers faithful. Give them credit, they travel. And now that they have a lead they seem to have no intention of going home.