Read a full match report of the World Cup 2010 Group B match between Argentina and Nigeria at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday June 12 2010.

Diego Maradona reckoned it was his dearest wish that Lionel Messi should light up the World Cup in the grand manner he once did and his wish was granted as his successor to Argentina’s No 10 jersey helped orchestrate a striking opening triumph over Nigeria at Ellis Park.

Messi did not score but he did everything but, making a nonsense of the Argentine physio’s suggestions that he has come here exhausted to South Africa as he produced an individual tour de force which his bearded boss on the bench would have appreciated better than most.

The Barcelona maestro could have netted four, if he had not been denied by the exceptional goalkeeping of Vincent Enyeama, who also made two world-class stops off Gonzalo Higuain.

Yet even if a rocket header from Gaby Heinze after just six minutes ended up as all Argentina had to show for the thrilling quality of their attacking, Maradona was left immensely proud and emotional on his World Cup comeback, 16 years since he made his last playing appearance, also against Nigeria.

The World Cup needs a strong Argentina and, after all the question marks over Maradona’s stewardship, here was evidence that he may have got it right when it matters - certainly the attacking side, even if some of Argentina’s defending offers up plenty of hope for opponents down the line.

Nigeria never gave up, despite being largely outclassed, and could have equalised late on, but it would have been an injustice if Messi’s brilliance had not been rewarded.

So, it wasn’t quite the Maradona show after all, although it had felt that way before the start. He received more acclamation than any of his players, including Messi, when his picture was beamed on the giant screen.

“The hand of God” has arrived, read one banner, as the little general stood with both hands behind his back, watching his charges like some benevolent tracksuited headmaster. By the time he had returned for the start, though, he was booted, tied and suited, dressed for his new business.

He had plumped for a more adventurous line-up than the 4-1-3-2 which he had promised to field after his men had beaten Germany in March. With such attacking riches at his disposal, he evidently decided it would have been criminal not to perm at least three from six world class strikers and went for Messi, Higuain and Carlos Tevez.

His 4-3-3 formation constantly mutated into 3-4-3 with Jonas Gutierrez taking every opportunity to bomb down the right wing and the results were almost instantly pleasing.

Within minutes Messi had danced through from deep, beating three players, flicking the ball inside, only for Higuain to poke wide. Then, a superb curling shot from the No 10 demanded a dramatic save full stretch from Vincent Enyeama.

With only six minutes gone, a couple of Manchester United old boys united for a soft goal, Juan Sebastian Veron’s corner finding Heinze unmarked by the penalty spot. His rocketed header flew into the top right hand corner to be met by a dervish dance of delight - or was it relief - from his boss.

Messi continued to torment the Super Eagles in the first half, only to be denied by the excellence of the Israeli-based keeper Enyeama, but the Nigerian threat remained potent, with the Argentine defenders still sometimes appearing like strangers to each other.

Newcastle’s Gutierrez is no defender and more than once was nearly embarrassed, with the lively Chinedu Obasi screwing Nigeria’s best opening half-chance wide.

The Super Eagles were not about to plummet. In the second half, coach Lars Lagerback introduced Martins and, though Argentina continued to largely control proceedings, their three-man back line was exposed a couple of times, with full-back Taye Taiwo and Yakubu coming closest to punishing them.

Messi did everything but score. A little nudge from a Veron cross edged just wide, another strike after a lightning break from his own half by Carlos Tevez just missed and one marvellous snaking crossfield run brought back memories for the man who Messi reckoned he could never compare with. Still, Maradona can only have looked on and thoroughly approved.