Argentina edges Nigeria 1-0 in 'Group of Death' opener

June 2, 2002

IBARAKI, Japan (AP) -- Gabriel Batistuta scored a 63rd minute header as Argentina kicked off its World Cup campaign with a hardfought 1-0 victory over Nigeria on Sunday.

Batistuta rose above teammate Mauricio Pochettino at the far post to glance in a corner from Juan Sebastian Veron. The ball just eluded a desperate lunge on the line from Nigeria's Efetobore Sodje.

The goal came after Nigeria -- and in particular goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu -- had stubbornly frustrated the South Americans, heavily backed to win their third World Cup title.

"We've lost, but the standard of our game was good," said Nigeria coach Adegboye Onigbinde.

It was Batistuta's 56th goal in 76 appearances for Argentina, and his 10th goal in three World Cups. Coach Marcelo Bielsa on Saturday chose "Batigol" ahead of rival Hernan Crespo.

Batistua joined an exclusive club of only 10 players who have scored 10 or more goals in World Cup history.

"Batistuta has waited so long for this World Cup and deserves credit for all of the hard work he put in. He did really well today," said Veron.

The result leaves Argentina in firm control of its World Cup destiny, top of Group F -- the Group of Death -- which also includes England and Sweden, who were to meet later Sunday.

Argentina's next match is the much-awaited clash with England in Sapporo on June 7.

"Our first aim was to beat Nigeria and we did it," said Veron. "Now comes England. It'll surely be a tough game, a classic."

Argentina suffered a blow minutes before kickoff when captain Roberto Ayala was injured in the warmup. He was replaced in defense by Diego Placente.

In an open first half, both sides canceled each other out. Argentina shaded Nigeria in terms of possession but there were chances at both ends.

Claudio Lopez was Argentina's main early threat, twice marauding down the left wing in search of Batistuta, whose every move was closely watched by Nigeria's back four. Ariel Ortega's twisting runs down the right wing had the Nigerian defense resorting to shirt-pulling and bodychecks.

Veteran Diego Simeone dropped deep, playing just ahead of a back three shorn of Ayala's commanding presence.

Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu, who picked up a back injury and went off early in the second half, played in the middle of the field, with Julius Aghahowa and Bartholomew Ogbeche up front.

An early chance went to Nigeria's Sodje who sent a spectacular volley over the bar from a corner. Minutes later, Batistuta broke free only to send a powerful shot wide.

After 21 minutes, Batistuta was played through by stand-in captain Veron and Lopez, but Nigeria's 'keeper Ike Shorunmu was alert to the danger and cleared with his feet.

Shorunmu again came to the rescue after 30 minutes, tipping over a rasping drive from outside the area by Ortega, after Veron had robbed Nigeria of possession in midfield.

Two minutes later, Jay-Jay Okocha wriggled through the Argentine midfield and let fly a powerful shot from more than 20 meters, which was similarly tipped over the bar by Argentina's Cavallero, at full-stretch.