Argentina coach Diego Maradona selected a powerful attacking lineup for the team's World Cup opener against Nigeria on Saturday, with Lionel Messi playing alongside Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez.
Yakubu Ayegbeni was the main striker for Nigeria, while Obafemi Martins and Nwankwo Kanu were left on the bench.
The Argentines, two-time World Cup champions, are hoping to banish memories of a disappointing qualifying campaign in which Maradona's coaching ability was heavily criticized back home.
The front line, arguably the most potent of the competition, was supported by the likes of Juan Sebastian Veron, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria, plus defenders of the caliber of Walter Samuel and Martin Demichelis.
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Argentina: Sergio Romero, Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Ivan Heinze, Walter Samuel, Angel Di Maria, Jonas Gutierrez, Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez.
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, Chidi Odiah, Daniel Olusola Shittu, Taye Ismaila Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, Dickson Etuhu, Lukman Haruna, Sani Kaita, Chinedu Obasi, Victor Nsofor Obinna, Yakubu.
