Argentina international star, Javier Mascherano has labeled the meeting between Argentina and Nigeria on June 26 a World Cup ‘Clasico’.
Speaking at a McDonalds event following the World Cup draw on Friday, the Barcelona star said their fifth clash with the Super Eagles will be tough for them.
The two continental powerhouses have faced off four times in the group stage in the last six editions of the World Cup, with Argentina narrowly beating the Africans by the odd goal on each occasion.
”It’s a harder group than you think. It was clear we were not going to get an easy group,” Mascherano was quoted as saying by Olé Argentina.
”All the rivals are difficult especially the first game, but you have to play it.
”Nigeria have become a ‘Clasico’ for us in the World Cup, they have been improving like all the teams.”
Mascherano started and went the distance in Argentina’s wins against Nigeria at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively, and also featured in the recent friendly in Krasnodar.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
