Gabriel Batistuta picked up on Sunday where he left off in the last World Cup: scoring important goals.

The Argentine striker, nicknamed 'Batigol', headed home a cross from Juan Sebastian Veron in the 63rd minute to give Argentina a 1-0 win over Nigeria in Group F action at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina midfielder Pablo Aimar, right, is tripped by Garba Lawal during the second half of their match Sunday. Argentina won 1-0.(AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)
Argentina midfielder Pablo Aimar, right, is tripped by Garba Lawal during the second half of their match Sunday. Argentina won 1-0.(AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

Weeks before the start of the tournament, Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa was the man on the hot seat. Media pundits pressed him over who he would start in the lone striker position in the first game of the World Cup: Batistuta or Hernan Crespo.

As it turned out, Bielsa's decision turned out to be very astute, as Batistuta scored the 56th goal of his international career, giving Argentina three important points in the tough 'Group of Death'.

Argentine controlled the pace of the game, thanks to brilliant play by creative playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron and workmanlike midfielder Javier Zanetti. Argentina kept possession with a combination of intricate exchanges and delightful long balls, making the Nigerians chase the ball.

When they did have the ball, Nigeria simply couldn't retain possession for any length of time, as Argentina's midfielders were very effective in closing them down.

For all their possession, however, Argentina could not score, as Nigerian goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu came up with some very big saves. Ariel Ortega fired a blistering shot from 25 yards out in the 31st minute, but Shorunmu was up to the task, making a brilliant fingertip save.

The Nigerian resistance was broken in the 63rd minute when Batistuta darted past two defenders and headed a Juan Sebastian Veron corner kick into the back of the net.

Unlike his counterpart at the other end of the field, Argentine goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero wasn't called upon to make too many saves. Nigeria's lone quality scoring chance came in the 32nd minute when captain Jay-Jay Okocha skipped by two players in midfield before cracking a shot on net from just outside the penalty area, only to have Cavallero tip the ball over the crossbar.

Argentina's next game is against England on June 7 (CBC, 7:30 p.m. LOCAL - Tape Delay), while Nigeria takes on Sweden on the same day.

  • Game notes: Nigerian defender Celestine Babayaro passed a late fitness test and started the game. Argentine defender Diego Placente came in as a late replacement for Roberto Ayala, who was injured in the warm-up. Argentina last faced Nigeria in the World Cup at USA '94 when it defeated the Africans 2-1. Hernan Crespo came on as a second half substitute for Batistuta in the 80th minute.

      IMPACT PLAYERS:

  • Argentina: Javier Zanetti -- The industrious midfielder made several dashing runs up the flanks in leading Argentina's attack, helping his side enjoy the majority of possession during the game.

  • Nigeria: Ike Shorunmu -- The Nigerian goalkeeper came up with several outstanding saves, thwarting Gabriel Batistuta several times and keeping his country in the game.