Even though Lionel Messi baffled Nigeria's defenders, Argentina still had to sweat out Diego Maradona's first World Cup victory as a coach. Gabriel Heinze scored on a diving header in the sixth minute, the only one of seven shots on goal Argentina converted in its 1-0 win in group B on Saturday.Heinze took advantage of weak defense to power in his header from 12 yards off Juan Sebastian Veron's corner kick. After that, it was nothing but missed chances for Albiceleste.The team made good moves, but we ended up suffering. That's the law of soccer, Maradona said. Thank God we won the game. To begin a World Cup in winning fashion gives you a certain sense of calmness. The only thing that concerns me is that we won a big game.The Nigerians struggled for much of the match to contain Messi, and striker Gonzalo Higuain also failed to convert three good chances. Critics say he rarely plays well for his country, but Messi FIFA's World Player of the Year posed a threat to the Nigerians all day.I felt comfortable, Messi said. We knew that Argentina had to show its class and I think we did.
