Messi strikes when needed most

Superstar's sublime goal against Nigeria helps Argentina avert disaster and set up last-16 showdown with France

ST. PETERSBURG - From his thigh to his foot to the back of the net, Lionel Messi finally scored a goal at this year's World Cup.

The exquisite strike from the Argentina great sparked the first of several celebrations from an animated Diego Maradona, who screamed, shouted and made obscene gestures to mark the occasion.