DIEGO MARADONA got his World Cup campaign off to a flier thanks to Gabriel Heinze.
The South Americans could have had a hatful but Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama made a name for himself with a string of fine saves.
An Argie fan gets in the spirit
Jonas Gutierrez goes in on Chinedu Obasi
Vincent Enyeama saves
Gabriel Heinze nods towards goal
Lionel Messi was left stunned as he saw shot after shot kept out by the Hapoel Tel Aviv gloveman.
Nigeria had chances to snatch a draw but Peter Odemwingie wasted a good opening, while Kalu Uche blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
Maradona embarked on a lap of the stadium before kick-off and blew kisses to his adoring Argie fans.
And the South American supporters were applauding again just six minutes in when Heinze threw himself to the ground to power home Juan Veron's pinpoint corner from 12 yards.
The goal really should have been Argentina's second following Gonzalo Higuain's poor effort two minutes earlier.
He sidefooted wide from close range after Messi left the Nigerian defence in his wake with a mazy run.
Messi's low effort was palmed away by Enyeama before the keeper stunned Higuain with a superb smothering save.
But it got even better for Enyeama on 37 minutes when Messi's exquisite curler was matched by the gloveman's fingertip save.
Chinedu Obasi was Nigeria's most dangerous player but he wasted two good opportunities before Gutierrez was booked for fouling him as he tried to forge a third chance.
Maradona's men went in search of the killer second but Messi's angled drive was blocked before the Barcelona man curled another effort wide following a quick counter-attack.
Higuain was again frustrated by Enyeama when his low drive was expertly palmed away.
Sani Kaita drove wildly over for Nigeria as they sought a way back into the game.
But their best opening was wasted by substitute Odemwingie when he burst down the left only to miscontrol the ball with Yakubu unmarked at the far post.
Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo toepoked a left-footer inches wide of Sergio Romero's left-hand upright.
Messi sent a free-kick over the bar before he saw his next effort blocked by Enyeama.
Uche then found space in the box as Argentina defended a set-piece but he hurried his volley and the ball ballooned over.
The Argies were content to sit on their lead and although their opponents enjoyed plenty of late possession, they never looked quite capable of beating Romero.
Heinze's header flies in
Chinedu Obasi pulls the trigger
Vincent Enyeama clatters Leo Messi
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