Stephen Keshi: 'Lionel Messi is an alien'

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has joked that Argentina star Lionel Messi is "from Jupiter" following his first-half brace in Wednesday's victory over the Super Eagles.

Messi opened the scoring in Porto Alegre with a thunderous volley after three minutes, before sending a free kick past goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in the dying stages of the half to complete his double.

Alejandro Sabella's side ran out 3-2 winners to win Group F in the World Cup, and Keshi quipped that the 27-year-old's ability is almost extraterrestrial.

"Messi is one hell of a player. There are other high-calibre players, but Messi is from another planet, he's from Jupiter I think," he told reporters at full time.

This evening's double brought Messi to four goals in the competition thus far, level with Brazil ace Neymar in the race for the golden boot.

Iran's 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina has ensured that Nigeria, despite today's loss, will also progress into the second round of the tournament.