Argentina needed a performance from Lionel Messi against Nigeria - and boy did he step up.The 31-year-old produced a man of the match performance as Argentina sealed their place in the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 2-1 win.Messi set them on their way by opening the scoring in the 14th minute.It was the 100th goal at this year’s World Cup - and it was a beauty.He controlled Ever Banega’s pass with two superb touches before firing the ball into the net with his right foot.Messi is now the only player to score at a World Cup as a teenager, in his twenties and in his thirties.Victor Moses set up a tense finish when he scored a penalty shortly after half-time but in the 86th minute, up stepped Marcos Rojo - yes, really - to score the winner.

Messi in the 92nd minute

Argentina, who needed to win to have any chance of staying in the World Cup, defended for their lives in the closing minutes.

And that included Messi, who showed great desire to help his team.

The 31-year-old failed to control a through ball in the 92nd minute and Nigeria’s Bryan Idowu stole a yard on him in the race to win the ball.

But instead of giving up on the ball, Messi chased after Iwodu and blocked his clearance.

Having played an entire match, and no doubt tired from what was an emotional contest, Messi was still willing to give it everything.

His efforts went down really well with football fans on Twitter.

Messi showed his leadership skills by leading a team-talk just before the second half resumed.

The Barcelona ace is known for being a quiet leader. Rarely will you see him delivering an impassioned speech to his teammates.

But Messi understood the importance of the occasion and, with belief in Jorge Sampaoli wavering, decided to speak up.

Click HERE to watch that video.

Next up for the two-time World Cup winners is a meeting with France in the round-of-16.

Saturday’s affair promises to be an intriguing one, with neither nation producing their best football so far in the tournament.

Argentina can only hope that Tuesday’s victory sparks a turnaround in form.