World Cup 2018, Nigeria 1-2 Argentina: Best and worst players from the game

#1 Best - Ever Banega (Argentina)

Ever Banega dominated proceedings in the middle of the park

Ever Banega produced a stellar performance in midfield for La Albiceleste on the night and he was certainly their best player on the pitch. The 29-year-old was awarded a first start of the tournament by Jorge Sampaoli and the decision more than worked out in favour of his side.

The midfielder dominated proceedings in the center for Argentina and now that we look back, it almost feels like Sampaoli was quite clueless about what he can offer to this team in the first place. That is probably the only rational explanation left to justify Banega's lack of involvement up until this point.

It was Banega who opened up Nigeria with a defence-splitting lob pass over the top for Lionel Messi's opening goal on the night and he looked more than dangerous every time he had the ball at his feet. Moreover, it was his composure that helped bring balance to Argentina in the middle of the park after Javier Mascherano started losing the plot against the stubborn approach by the Nigerians.

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