Beijing 2008 - Argentina retain football gold

Eurosport - Sat, 23 Aug 16:30:00 2008

Argentina retained their Olympic football title by beating Nigeria 1-0 with a stunning Angel Di Maria goal in a final adversely affected by scorching conditions.

FOOTBALL 2008 Beijing Olympics Argentina celebrate winning their gold medal match against Nigeria - 0

Di Maria, guilty of a remarkable double penalty-miss in a group game against Serbia, broke clear of the Nigeria defence and clipped the ball over Ambruse Vanzekin in the 58th minute as the on-pitch temperature hit 42 degrees Celsius.

Wilting in the searing heat, the Argentines survived a torrid half hour of Nigerian pressure to cling on for victory.

The midday showdown at the Bird's Nest was a repeat of the 1996 final, which Nigeria won 3-2 to become the first African team to win the tournament.

Both coaches said their teams suffered in the heat, which also made fully-suited FIFA president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Julio Grondona look uncomfortable as they handed out medals and flowers in the victory ceremony.

"I think it actually affected both countries," Nigeria's Samson Siasia said. "Most players didn't perform to their best level because of the heat.

The Olympic football tournament is restricted to under-23 teams with each allowed to field up to three over-age players.

"Of course, it was not the same spectacle as it would have been [with an evening kick off], today it was very hot and the players felt it," said Argentina coach Sergio Batista.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, taking part as an over-age player, was the only survivor of the Argentina team that won in Athens.

"We came with the plan of winning the gold medal and we've done it," said mercurial playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, another over-age player. "It was a beautiful experience, I enjoyed some moments which were very different to the ones we are used to."

The first half was played at walking pace and there were no clear cut chances before the first of two much-needed water breaks, which had been previously been agreed on by FIFA and team officials, on the half hour.

Peter Odemwingie created Nigeria's first opening shortly afterwards when he broke down the left and sent a low ball across the face of the goal that Promise Isaac just failed to reach.

Di Maria then produced Argentina's first real effort with an out-swinging 25-metre shot which was turned away by Vanzekin.

After the re-start, Lionel Messi had a shot fisted away by Vanzekin before setting up the goal. The Barcelona player slipped a pass to Di Maria who broke clear on the halfway line and beat Vanzekin with an exquisite finish.

Nigeria sprang to life, as Victor Obinna had a shot saved by Sergio Romero and Victor Anichebe's close-range effort was saved by the Argentine goalkeeper at the second attempt.

In between, Messi was foiled by a last-ditch tackle from Apam Onyekachi.

Reuters

Comment 49 - 68 of 68

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  1. I love your game.Siasia is good,i give u my kudos

    From remi, on Thu 18 Sep 8:58PM

  2. well argentina came close to silver whitch the should­ of got.nigeria should of got gold.atentina were very­ lucky they got gold medal because brazil were up there­ as well as nigeria.brazil came close but ronaldinio­ should retire al though hes still twenty seven.we all­ hate argentina we all hate argentina­ boooooooooooooooooooooo

    From David, on Fri 29 Aug 5:13PM

  3. Did all these little argentines taken drug test to know­ if they are clean? We all knew about USA94. A leoppard­ will never change it's spots. They are the sons of­ never do well. And worst they are being worshiped. Ben­ Jonson, and co are in the darkest part of sports yet­ Fifa dines with the real devils on two legs. Shame.

    From stanley w, on Thu 28 Aug 11:23AM

  4. siasia u did a good job with ur silver, d nfa shulod­ start thinking of d wolrd cup & 2012 olympics, if­ not we are surely going to mess the career of this­ promising talents dat performed excellenltly at d just­ concluded olympics. nfa a word is enough 4 d wise. You­ are d set of people killing our football&­ footballers,pls do something b4 d wrath of God decsend­ on d board.A.B LADEGA 1.

    From A.B LADEGA 1, on Wed 27 Aug 3:30PM

  5. siasia u did a good job with ur silver, d nfa shulod­ start thinking of d wolrd cup & 2012 olympics, if­ not we are surely going to mess the career of this­ promising talents dat performed excellenltly at d just­ conclided olympics. nfa a word is enough 4 d wise. You­ are d set of people killing our football&­ footballers,pls do something b4 d wrath of God decsend­ on d board.A.B LADEGA 1.

    From A.B LADEGA 1, on Wed 27 Aug 3:28PM

  6. Siasia U are 2 good to handle Nigeria Super Eagles if­ allowed. Ur boys did their best 2 bring gold back home,­ but 4 the hash weather. I think the Argentines should­ be examine for likely dopping, u might not be say,­ afterall it was later we realised Maradona art of dope.­ Congrats!!! to Boys for the silver. Pls tell Argentina­ FA to counsel Messi on how well to behave when in game­ with players from Africa. I think racism is in his­ blood. From IFE & Nath, Nigeria.

    From Ife O, on Tue 26 Aug 1:18PM

  7. Bravo Argentina, for a change

    From United, kids, wife, on Mon 25 Aug 1:54AM

  8. To all Nigerian fans : S T F U !!

    From Tim, on Sun 24 Aug 5:22PM

  9. I must say that am very much impressed in the manner­ that we played against the argentines, getting to this­ final was not easy. would you recall that this was the­ team that beat BRAZIL in the semi-final? they gave­ Brazil a disgraceful 3-0, they are all world class­ football players, from requeme to messi and the rest of­ the team, they play in the best and popular clubs in­ europe. I miss ogbuke obasi, i really dont know why he­ didnt play, he doesnt have red card, he might probably­ have an injury, i actually do not know why he didnt­ feature in this must-win match against this powerful­ argentines. As for SIASIA, he is so wonderful, i wish i­ can see him personaly to tell it to his face that he­ has really done a real job for grooming this boyz, and­ he should take the silver which God has given him, its­ a blessing from God to you SIASIA. you will be a great­ coach in future and not only that, the best coach that­ nigeria ever produce. well done dream team, well done­ nigeria. from KINGSLEY (ALICANTE, SPAIN)

    From kingsley i, on Sun 24 Aug 1:55AM

  10. Well done Argentina and Mascherano, now come back and­ help Liverpool win the league...

    From DONNA, on Sat 23 Aug 8:01PM

  11. did i say 98 oh sorry i am still celebrating­ nigeria's silver.

    From franklin b concience, on Sat 23 Aug 5:54PM

  12. did i say 98 oh sorry i am still celebrating­ nigeria's silver.

    From franklin b concience, on Sat 23 Aug 5:44PM

  13. Siasia has proved that he has got the talent of­ coaching, pls do not crusify him, he tried all his best­ to see that he brings the Gold medal home, as a matter­ of fact, one team must win. the Argentines played a­ good game as well, Good games both teams!

    From Ubens, on Sat 23 Aug 5:40PM

  14. Now that Siasia is jobless,he should be allowed to take­ over the national team.One advice for clubs;instead of­ buying messi for 80million pounds.Use 10 million and­ get Siasia and five of the Nigerian top players and you­ are sure of getting to the finals of the uefa champions­ league.

    From jeffrey_edward5, on Sat 23 Aug 5:35PM

  15. sorry i meant 98 not 94

    From franklin b concience, on Sat 23 Aug 5:15PM

  16. yes elio_whatever,you own us but in atlanta 96 you­ didnt own us.in 94 you only won because a certain D A M­ took more drugs that the intraveous for a dehydration­ victim.most of us have been gracious in defeat and we­ have congratulated your great soccer playing nation but­ please show some decorium.congrats argentina,congrats­ nigeria.

    From franklin b concience, on Sat 23 Aug 4:56PM

  17. this is time to get rid of amodu and his cohorts and­ place siasa at the helm of affairs .this guy has proved­ that he ranks among the best football coaches in the­ world. please ,for the sake of god hand siasa the­ senior national team.

    From agu, on Sat 23 Aug 4:37PM

  18. this is time to get rid of amodu and his cohorts and­ place siasa at the helm of affairs .this guy has proved­ that he ranks among the best football coaches in the­ world. please ,for the sake of god hand siasa the­ senior national team.

    From agu, on Sat 23 Aug 4:37PM

  19. great goall by di maria is the benfica player my clube.­ Benfica sempe contiua a jogar assim di maria e seremos­ campeoes. Portugal

    From graca_pacheco, on Sat 23 Aug 4:35PM

  20. Why were they playing in 42c heat? haven't they­ heard of the saying "never go out in the midday­ sun" maybe not.. An evening kickoff would have­ been better

    From Melanie, on Sat 23 Aug 4:03PM
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