Goal.com's Juan Lirman and Ewan Macdonald take a look at the historic Nigerian Olympic victory over Argentina in the final of the 1996 Games, and what it means today...

Nigeria's famous Olympic Gold in the the 1996 final was not just the culimination of a thrilling Games, but in fact the conclusion of a rivalry that in fact started earlier. What's more, it was proof that European and South American sides were no longer the only ones worth watching on the global stage...

African Hope

Nigeria's mid-90s squad was of considerable strength. At the 1994 World Cup (pictured) the Super Eagles finished top of a tough group - one that contained would-be semi-finalists Bulgaria - before being edged out by eventual finalists Italy in the knockout stages. As well as losing to the Italians, there was another defeat for the Nigerians - against Argentina.

Samson Siasia had put the Super Eagles ahead after just eight minutes of play, but two quickfire goals from Claudio Caniggia midway through the first half kept the albiceleste in the competition for another round at least. Thus when the two sides were thrown together at the Games two years later, Nigeria were on a revenge mission - one in which they were deemed underdogs.

Argentine Expectation

Argentina's fans, meanwhile, expected their heroes to put the humiliation of second round elimination in the USA two years prior well and truly behind them. Nigeria, having been beaten at that tournament, were judged to be second best to an Argentina side that had gone without losing. There were question marks over group stage draws with Tunisia and Portugal, but overall Daniel Passarella's men had impressed, not least with a 4-0 mauling of Spain in the quarter-finals and a 2-0 win over Portugal in the semis.

Nigeria, meanwhile, had taken took a circuitous route to the final. After a hard-fought win over Hungary, they made hard work of unfancied Japan before losing out to Brazil in their final group game.

They then overcame Mexico in fairly routine circumstances, setting up a clash with Brazil. The South Americans, with a certain Ronaldo in their ranks, had just eliminated Ghana, leaving the Nigerians as the sole remaining African force.

After going 3-1 down by the 40th minute it seemed as if the tournament was over for the Super Eagles, but Victor Ikpeba and Nwankwo Kanu had different ideas as they hit a late goal apiece to force extra time. Poetically enough, Kanu then managed the golden goal just four minutes into the extended perior to seal an historic win for his side.

Then, of course, came the final.

The Big Game

The Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, is more suited to hosting American football, but with what was essentially a capacity crowd packed in on August 3rd it was, at least temporarily, a soccer city. The locals had already witnessed both of the semi-finals and the bronze medal game (a rejuvenated Brazil won that one 5-0) and as such appetite for one more game was real.

Passarella's men came out swinging. Carlos 'Piojo' Lopez opened the scoring after just three minutes, but, just as against Brazil, Nigeria played the role of comeback kings. Nigeria responded through Celestine Babayaro, who ensured that the scores would be level at half time.

Five minutes after the break, though, Taribo West conceded a needless penalty that Hernán Crespo coolly struck home, and Argentina were in control.

Yet with fifteen minutes to go Daniel Amokachi struck the equaliser with a delicious little lob , and another period of extra time loomed.

Passarella had other ideas. Eager not to take part in the lottery of the 'golden goal', he pushed his defence far up the pitch to force the attacking issue.

The Nigerian defence, withering under the pressure, soon enjoyed a moment of great fortune that was to decide the game in their favour. Hitting on the break down the left, they won a free-kick out at the edge of the goal area. As the ball swung in, it looked as though the Argentines timed their offside runs perfectly, but no whistle and no flag came to their rescue. Alone facing goal, there was Emmanuel Amuneke to seal the gold medal with mere seconds remaining on the clock.

Argentina were furious with referee Pierluigi Collina's decision to award that final goal, but nonetheless it stood, and Nigeria had their gold medal. Whether or not they'd have gone on to win without that third goal is a question for the ages, and there were more than a few recriminations to come over the coming months from the unhappy albiceleste.

Twelve years on, Nigeria have lost some of their prominence on the world stage, but the albiceleste are as bright as they were then. Who will prevail this time? Samson Siasia, a medal-winner at that tournament, will look for his second piece of gold: Argentina, perhaps justifiably, will seek revenge.

Ewan Macdonald & Juan Lirman, Goal.com

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Argentina ace Lionel Messi has told Fifa.com that he and his teammates are in no way complacent heading into their Olympic Games final against Nigeria on Saturday...

The Barcelona man has enjoyed the Games thus far, but he realises that there are bigger tests to come.

"The Olympics? It's just as I expected, very beautiful and special," he said.

"As the days have gone gone by, I've been able to see for myself everything that people had spoken to me about before I came. I've experienced some wonderful things that I'll remember for the rest of my life. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so you have to make the most of every second.

"But as for the final, it's true we're in good form, but there are no real favourites in a final, where anything can happen. If you believe the script, we shouldn't have any problems. However, we still have to produce it where it matters, out on the pitch with our football. That's the only thing we should be thinking about."

Brazil Thrashing

Having been involved in the albiceleste's 3-0 mauling of Brazil, the Barcelona man revealed his thoughts on that encounter.

"We'd had a couple of games against them that hadn't gone at all well for us. We'd been hoping to be able to beat them and we were in the kind of form to do just that, but we never imagined we'd beat them so emphatically," he said.

"It makes me feel very happy, everything turned out perfectly. And Agüero? It was such a joy to see him find the net. He really needed it because people were starting to question him, some were saying certain things that just weren't true. Fortunately he was able to score and shut a lot of people up. That's good for him.

"I spoke to Ronaldinho at full-time. We exchanged greetings and I wished him well with his latest move [to AC Milan]. He'll have to start again from scratch with another team, so I wished him the very best. He deserves it. He's always been wonderful to me, and has helped me a lot."

In closing, he discussed the prospects of his having a gold medal around his neck by Saturday afternoon.

"It would be something very special, because of everything I've mentioned: the significance of taking part in such a tournament, and the fact that you might never get the opportunity again. Winning a medal would be a unique souvenir of this whole experience. As I've said all along, it's always been my dream to win a gold medal," he concluded.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

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Football legend Pele has labelled Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as the "best player in the world", while he has also revealed that his biggest regret during his career was never being able to take part in an Olympics Games.

Olympics

The Selecao may be the most successful ever footballing nation, winning five World Cups, and qualifying for every finals since the competition’s birth in 1930, however, believe it or not, they have never won Gold at the Olympic Games.

They came close in 1984 and 1988, winning silver, while they picked up a bronze in 1996, but this remains the best they have ever done. Many thought that Beijing 2008 could have been the year for Brazil, until they were thrashed 3-0 in the semi final on Tuesday to bitter rivals Argentina.

One of the country’s greatest ever players, Pele, has now revealed that he deeply regrets never being able to lead Brazil to Olympic glory.

"My biggest regret is not ever being able to take part in an Olympics,” said Pele.

“During my time as a player it was forbidden for professionals to participate. If I had of had the chance to play, Brazil would have certainly won that Olympic Gold that they have never won. And furthermore I would have had a medal too."

Messi

One player who has been lighting up the Olympics for Argentina is Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, and Pele regards the 21-year-old as the best in the world.

"I knew when we gave Kaka the FIFA World Player of the Year award that he would become the best player in the world.

"With young people like him we need patience and that is the problem we have in Brazil.

“Someone like Pato comes along, and straight away they say he is a great champion without anything being proven on the field.”

Pele had a glittering career, winning medals galore with club side Santos, as well as picking up three World Cup winners medals with Brazil.

Anthony Sormani

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Nigeria 4-1 Belgium

Nigeria have clinched a place in the Olympics football tournament in style – by thrashing a hapless Belgium side at Shanghai Stadium on Tuesday evening.

12 years after clinching the gold medal at the Atlanta Games, Nigeria are starting to dream of gold again. The Super Eagles turned on a superlative performance, tearing Belgium apart with four goals in the semi-final.

A brace from Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, together with goals from Olubayo Adefemi and Chibuzor Okonkwo fired Nigeria into the final. Belgium scored a late consolation goal through substitute Laurent Ciman.

First Half

Straight from the kick-off, Nigeria showed they meant business when they exerted their dominance in the opening minutes.

Belgium keeper Logan Bailly was tested by Nigeria skipper Victor Obinna, when he dived down low to save Obinna’s powerful shot.

Belgium, who were rated outsiders for a medal at the Olympics, exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals. In an earlier interview with the FIFA website, Belgium coach Jean Francois De Sart said his charges had come to the Beijing Games to “achieve something”.

"We came here to China to achieve something at the Olympic Football Tournament. We knew we wouldn't find it easy in the first few games, but we're getting stronger all the time," he said.

Despite defeating Italy to clinch their semi-final finish, De Sart’s players were dealt a painful lesson on defending by Nigeria. Adefemi was first to capitalise on 17 minutes.

The Belgian defence did not clear the ball, and it fell onto to the path of Adefemi, who raced into the box and blasted his shot past Bailly. Undeterred, Belgium went in search of an equaliser.

Midfielder Tom De Mul had an opportunity to help his side draw level. The Sevilla player picked up a loose ball in the box, but failed to strike the ball towards goal.

Nigeria missed a chance to double their lead ten minutes before the break, when Hertha Berlin striker Solomon Okoronkwo let fly a shot which went past the post.

Second Half

After the restart, Nigeria came out firing on all cylinders. In the 50th minute, Peter Odemwingie chanced on a loose ball, after a poor clearance from the Belgium defence.

The winger nearly gets past Bailly, but the goalkeeper stood firm to deny Odemwingie.

Ajax midfielder Jan Vertonghen could have levelled terms for Belgium. His well-struck volley however, was parried away by Nigeria custodian Ambruse Vanzekin.

Belgium soon found themselves two goals down, as the Africans netted their second on 59 minutes. Everton striker Victor Anichebe threaded a pinpoint pass to Ogbuke Obasi, blasting the ball home with the outside of his left boot.

Though Obasi appeared to be offside, referee Pablo Pozo ruled it as a goal for Nigeria.

Obinna was the architect for Obasi’s second goal in the 72nd minute. The Chievo striker passed the ball to the pacy Obasi who unleashed a powerful blinder off 25 yards past Bailly.

Six minutes later, Chibuzor Okonkwo hammered the final nail in Belgium’s coffin, when he scored in similar fashion as Obasi.

Substitute Laurent Ciman pulled a goal back for the Belgians on 88 minutes, as Belgium’s dreams of gold ended at the final whistle.

Nigeria will face off against either Brazil or Argentina in the gold medal match in Beijing on Saturday.

Jonathan Walker

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Pato, who joined Milan from Internacional last summer, has had a superb start to life in Serie A, scoring nine goals in just 18 Serie A appearances since debuting in January.

The Brazilian, who is still only 18, is tipped by many as a superstar of the future, however he has struggled somewhat during this month’s Olympic Games in Beijing.

He was substituted during the Selecao’s 2-0 quarter final win over Cameroon on Saturday, and replaced by Rafael Sobis.

Pato has now been criticised by Brazil boss Dunga, who says that the teenager still has much developing to do as a player.

"I brought on Rafael Sobis because he knows how to deal with tight marking, can open up the spaces and does not go offside,” Dunga is quoted as saying by Ansa.

“Pato must grow again, and he must learn to free himself from his marker."

Pato, who could now be dropped from the starting line-up, will be hoping to do better if given the chance during the much-awaited semi final against bitter South American rivals Argentina.

Following the controversial exit of Italy, the winners of this semi final are expected to go on and win Gold. Brazil have never won the competition during their glorious history.

Roberto Rossi

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Argentina 3-0 Brazil

Just as Brazil slaughtered Argentina 3-0 in the Copa América final of 2007, so did the albicelestes treat their neighbours to an absolute thrashing in China. Two goals from Sergio Agüero and a late penalty from Juan Román Riquelme - plus a disallowed goal for Brazil - sealed the win for Sergio Batista's men, who go on to meet Nigeria in the final...

After a goalless first half Argentina came out swinging, racking up a two-goal lead before the hour mark thanks to 'Kun' Agüero. A late Riquelme penalty and red cards for Lucas and Neves left Dunga's Brazil utterly helpless as they now face up to yet another Olympics without the gold.

However the team in yellow may feel somewhat aggrieved at the scoreline, given that at 2-0 and eleven men per side they had what appeared to some to be a valid goal disallowed for offside. In any case, though, the albiceleste are back in the final as they attempt to defend their title.

First Half

With Brazil attacking via the flanks early on the first real chance fell to Rafael Sobis, who started up front in place of Alexandre Pato, dropped by Dunga. The Betis striker, though, couldn't quite get on the end of Rafinha's cross.

Sergio Agüero, yet to net at the tournament, then missed a sitter at the other end with the Brazilian defence too slow to react to a quick free-kick forward.

Nonetheless such a fine chance for Argentina spurned the albiceleste on, and they shaded the end of the first half even though chances were few and far between.

When they did come, though, they were worth waiting for: Messi strode through the Brazilian defence four minutes before the break in characteristic fashion, but Renan Brito pulled off a great save to prevent the opener.

Second Half

Soon after the break, though, there was no mercy for Brazil as Argentina pressed forward. Just seven minutes after the restart they took the lead: Agüero used his upper body to direct Di Maria's cross into the net with Brito unable to react.

Five minutes later Ezequiel Garay turned provider as he played in a low ball from the left for the opportunistic Agüero to turn goalward.

Brazil weren't quite out of it yet: shortly before being taken off Rafael Sobis hit the woodwork after a fine team move.

A further few minutes later Ronaldinho very nearly set up Pato for the equaliser. Rattling a free-kick off the post, 'Dinho's AC Milan teammate was waiting to tap the ball in, but it was ruled offside, much to the disgust of the Brazilian contingent.

But Sergio Agüero was on hand to grab a "hat-trick" of sorts, for he won the penalty that sealed the win. Being tripped in the box by Breno, referee Vázquez gave a spot-kick that captain Juan Román Riquelme deftly fired down the middle.

Lucas was sent off for a foul on his Liverpool teammate Javier Mascherano with eight minutes left, and Thiago Neves followed him soon afterwards for a rash tackle on the same player. Thus Brazil will be weakened somewhat as they head into the playoff.

ARGENTINA 3-0 BRAZIL
1-0 Agüero 52'
2-0 Agüero 57'
3-0 Riquelme 76' (pen.)

Argentina (Batista): Romero; Zabaleta, Pareja, Garay, Monzón; Gago, Mascherano, Riquelme (Sosa 90), di Maria; Messi, Agüero.

Brazil (Dunga): Renan Brito; Rafinha, Alex Silva, Breno, Marcelo; Diego (Jô 71), Hernanes (Neves 61), Lucas, Anderson; Ronaldinho; Sobis (Pato 61).

Yellow Cards: Zabaleta 7, Pareja 63, Di Maria 65 - Breno 19, Hernanes 32, Anderson 67, Rafinha 75.

Red Cards: None - Lucas 81, Neves 8.

Referee: Martín Vázquez (Uruguay)

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