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Attendance: 64,468
Nigeria national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 26, 2018 at 7pm UK
 
Argentina national football team

1-2

Moses (51' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
Messi (14'), Rojo (86')

John Obi Mikel proud of Nigeria efforts despite World Cup exit

John Obi Mikel declares himself proud of Nigeria's efforts at the 2018 World Cup following the last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Argentina in Saint Petersburg.

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has praised his teammates' efforts at the 2018 World Cup following the last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Argentina in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles were minutes away from securing a point against the Albiceleste which would have seen them take second place in Group D.

However, Marcos Rojo's volley in the 86th minute put the two-time World Cup winners ahead again after Victor Moses's penalty had cancelled out Lionel Messi's opener.

The result means that Nigeria finish third in Group D and will play no further part in the competition, but despite the heartbreak, Mikel is proud of how his team has performed in Russia.

"It is what it is," the Tianjin TEDA midfielder told reporters at full time. "We did everything we could.

"In the second half we pushed and pushed. It just wasn't to be. It's a young team and in four years most of them will be ready for this tournament.

"I'm very proud of the boys and what we have achieved. I think we have done really well. We have to keep going. Thanks to all the Nigerians who have supported us."

Nigeria return to action in September with an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles.

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Marcos Rojo in Argentina training on May 21, 2018
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023

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