Former Chelsea Star Crespo : We Hope Argentina Will Qualify For Last 16 Before Facing Nigeria

Published: May 19, 2018

Former Chelsea striker Hernán Crespo reckons that it will not be easy for Argentina when they face Nigeria at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.

The former Argentina international knows the qualities of Nigeria teams as he was part of Argentina's Olympic Team that lost the Gold Medal match of Atlanta 1996 to the Dream Team.

Crespo is praying that Messi and co. would have qualified for the knockout round of the World Cup before a potential classic with the Nigerian national team.

''In 1999, I played in Moscow in the final of the UEFA Cup. And in St. Petersburg for the first time,'' Crespo told championat.com.

''Today the weather is fine, and I really like that there are so many enthusiasts here who have such a passion for football. And I'm very glad to be here, to share joy with everyone.

''The match against Nigeria in Petersburg will be difficult, but we in Argentina hope that by this time we will qualify for the second round ahead of schedule.

''I would like to see Messi win the World Cup as part of the national team.''

Nigeria have faced Argentina four times in previous editions of the World Cup and were narrowly beaten on each occasion.

Igho Kingsley