Football World Cup: Day 13 wrap, Group D

Marcos Rojo celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring a late goal. Credit: Image: Reuters; Video: Sky Sports

Argentina 2-1 Nigeria

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the tournament. Photo credit: Reuters

A late goal by Marcos Rojo gave Argentina a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Group D and sent the twice champions through to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the tournament in the 14th minute with an expertly taken shot.

But Nigeria were level six minutes after the restart, when Javier Mascherano fouled Leon Balogun in the area and Chelsea's Victor Moses stepped up to slot the resulting penalty past goalkeeper Franco Armani.

With the game ebbing away from Argentina, Gabriel Mercado crossed from the right in the 86th minute and Rojo turned the ball into the goal with a first-time strike to spark wild celebrations from the Argentines.

Nigeria's William Troost-Ekong dejected after defeat. Photo credit: Reuters

Argentina face France in the last 16, after finishing second in the group.

Croatia 2-1 Iceland 

Ivan Perisic's late goal eliminated Iceland. Photo credit: Reuters

Iceland's first World Cup adventure came to a valiant end, as they were beaten 2-1 by Group D winners Croatia due to a late strike from Ivan Perisic, with Argentina qualifying as runners-up instead.

Iceland missed a flurry of early chances, but went behind in the second half to a lethal strike from Croatian midfielder Milan Badelj, although Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled from the penalty spot in the 76th minute to set up an enthralling finish.

Photo credit: Reuters

Argentina's 2-1 win over Nigeria meant Iceland would have qualified with a victory, but instead their hearts sank, when Perisic smashed into the far corner in the 90th minute.

Croatia will meet Denmark in the last 16, while Argentina play France.

Iceland, the smallest-ever nation to compete at a World Cup, are heading home with one point from their tournament debut.

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