If this was to be an indication of how the Argentina of Diego Maradona will approach the World Cup expect to be thrilled. El Diego unleashed a four man attack pivoted around Lionel Messi at a Nigerian defence critically short of match practice. He did not score, although but for some extraordinary heroics by the Nigerian keeper, Vincent Enyeama, he would have done.

Nevertheless, there were some weaknesses in the Argentina back-four that may well be exploited later in the tournament. However, equally the four-pronged attack of Di Maria, Messi, Tevez and Higuain will not always encounter a goalkeeper in such inspired form as Enyeama.