Rio Ferdinand explains the change in Lionel Messi versus Nigeria

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand suggested that Lionel Messi showed a huge change in body language during Argentina’s crucial 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the World Cup. Argentina opened the scoring within the 14th minute of the game after an impressive finish from Lionel Messi but ultimately it was Marcos Rojo, who caught the headlines after netting the winner four minutes from time.

Speaking after the game, Ferdinand praised the Barcelona star for lifting his performance on the night where Argentina needed a win to avoid a shock group-stage exit, he said:"His body language, immediately as he came on the pitch, was different to what we've seen in this World Cup. He looked like there was a spark about him, there's an energy about him, that 'this was my stage, my moment now'. His touch for the goal...you can't underestimate how good this guy's touch is, not only his first touch but his second touch after that."

With the victory, Argentina have cemented their berth in the round of 16 stage of the World Cup where they are expected to face France. Les Bleus finished Group C by topping with seven points ahead of Denmark but the Argentines should still go into the game with plenty of positivity with their opponents yet to find their groove in the tournament.

Barring the penalty against Australia, Antoine Griezmann has failed to find the scoresheet for Didier Deschamps’s side and the match is surely expected to be an entertainer with both teams tussling for a spot in the quarter-finals. Since the turn of the century, Argentina have tackled France on two occasions but they have secured victories in both of those games. At the World Cup, Argentina have a similar record with wins at the 1930 and 1978 editions of the tournament.