Argentina got their Group F campaign off to the start they would have wanted with a 1-0 in against Nigeria in Ibaraki.

Their talismanic striker Gabriel Batistuta scored the only goal, his 56th in international football, and joined a select group of players who have notched goals in 3 World Cup Finals.

Argentina were the far superior side, but the Super Eagles did well in the first half to hold the game to 0-0.

The South Americans, with captain Juan Sebastian Veron pulling the strings in midfield, created huge pressure, pinning the Nigerians back in their own half.

But only two clear-cut chances were carved out, with Nigerian goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu preventing Batistuta from scoring with a 15-yard curler before producing a stunning fingertip save to keep out Ariel Ortega's first-time drive.

Nigeria's best player was midfield maestro Jay Jay Okocha who created Nigeria's main first half chance, forcing Pablo Cavallero, winning only his ninth cap, to push a powerful shot over the bar shortly before the break.

Marcelo Bielsa, Argentina's coach, made a change at half-time - replacing Claudio Lopez with Kily Gonzalez on the left side of his three-man strike-force - and his side started to create chance after chance.

Batistuta, Juan Sorin and Mauricio Pochettino all missed opportunities, while Shorunmu produced another sensational save from Sorin's 15-yard right-foot volley.

Nigeria's plans were affected by the loss of Kanu to injury early in the second half, but they had little answer to the pace and power of the Argentinians.

The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute, when Veron sent in a corner and Batistuta, making his 76th appearance for his country, headed home powerfully.

Veron continued to create the main threat, and went close from two free-kicks, the first from 33 yards forcing Shorunmu to push the ball over the bar, while a 25-yarder soon after was more comfortably saved.

In the end, it was a comfortable victory for the team which will remain many people's favourites for the title, but their inability to turn pressure and chances into more goals will give their rivals grounds for optimism.

Argentina skipper Veron reflected on a hard test set by Nigeria. "During the 90 minutes today we dominated much of the football but it was a tough game for us too.

"Nigeria in the first match was always going to be difficult but we have beaten them and now we have to play England, which is going to be a very tough game."

The two side meet on Friday in Sapporo, with the match kicking off at 12.30 BST.

Click on the link below to see the Group F table.