Can a "Messiless" Argentina take on Nigeria?

The super eagles of Nigeria will play Argentina today in an international encounter  in Russia. Nigeria qualified from its group with one Game left to play. Argentina struggled in their team and needed to look forward to a miracle to take place in the game between Chile and Brazil, with messi scoring an hat trick to rescue them from a disappointing exist. 

They'll be taking on Nigeria with out their magician "Messi". Considering the lack of form of the Argentines, the game might not be a stroll over for them. Messi  was excused from the team by coach Jorge Sampaoli. After struggling to break the defence of the Russians, the Argentines scored a late goal within the 86th minute, a goal that sealed the game.

 
Messi has been an inspiration for some time now for the Argentines. After Messi was given some game ban, the team's performance further dropped. That's to show how the Argentines missed him. However they can only prove critics wrong  by winning today's game.

Leo Balogun and Troost Ekong are the two Nigeria defenders the powerful Argentina attackers will to find as a block. Leo Balogun, was  number of times named within the  lineup in CAF starting VI as his diaplay didn't go unnoticed by CAF. While is defence associate, Troost Ekong is part of the nominees in the CAF player of the Year Awards. Balogun in Yoruba means warrior and Ekong in Efik means Warrior. Their partnership will be a major threat to the Argentine's attack. Will the non participation of the "Messiless" messi lead to the downfall of the Argentines in this game?