Batistuta heads home the winner (Allsport).

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Ibaraki

Gabriel Batistuta rode to Argentina's rescue just when it appeared as if the 'Group of Death' was poised to claim its first victim.

There is no doubt Argentina deserved the victory as they lived up to their billing of World Cup favourites, and England have been duly warned, but there must have been times when they felt as if they were never going to score.

Nigeria failed to provide the raw unpredictability shown by African nations in past World Cup tournaments, and just as Senegal did in such stunning fashion against reigning champions France in the opening game on Friday.

Cameroon, too, showed glimpses of their skill and power against the Republic of Ireland, but their bitterest rivals in Nigeria were unable to provide any answers to the questions being posed by Argentina in this Group F opener.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa's side arrived at the Kashima Stadium in Ibaraki in party mood - and with Juan Sebastian Veron orchestrating the high-spirited atmosphere.

As the coach made its way inside the ground, all the players and staff were clearly in fine voice as they belted out a national song, to the delight of their supporters.

Manchester United midfielder Veron could be seen leaning out of the window banging a plastic bottle of water against the side of the coach in time with the rhythm.

It set the tone because Argentina were then intent on ensuring the match also went with a bang, although they must have been left bewildered in the dressing room at half-time wondering just how they had been involved in the first goalless opening 45 minutes of the tournament.

At times Nigeria had trouble escaping from their own penalty area, never mind their own half as Argentina quickly found their rhythm on the pitch, and with captain Veron again instrumental.

The Nigerians were indebted to goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu for keeping the scoreline respectable, with the 34-year-old producing two key saves, his first a smart stop low to his left as Batistuta curled in a 15-yarder in the 20th minute.

His second was a spectacular fingertip stop in nudging over the bar Ariel Ortega's first-time, right-foot drive, although that was then matched moments later by Pablo Cavallero, preferred ahead of the more experienced German Burgos.

It was Nigeria's best moment of the game as captain Jay Jay Okocha advanced after receiving a pass from the left wing from Garba Lawal before unleashing a rasping drive which was again tipped over the bar.

Then came the first of a hat-trick of chances for Batistuta, all a mirror image of one another, and for a player of his goalscoring pedigree, all three should have been converted.

Veron was the supplier on each occasion with an inswinging corner, the first to the far post where Batistuta should have been on target with a header from close in, but instead he could only direct it wide to his bitter frustration.

The second followed early in the second half after Arsenal's Kanu was forced off after being elbowed, this time Juan Sorin flicked the ball on at the near post, but again Batistuta missed from close range.

Sorin and Mauricio Pochettino both glanced headers wide, while Shorunmu came to his team's aid again with another stunning save from the former's crisp 15-yard volley.

Finally, Argentina's enterprise paid off in the 63rd minute as Batistuta stooped at the far post to meet another Veron corner which Nigeria just could not cope with - David Beckham will have taken note.

Crewe defender Efe Sodje could only help Batistuta's 56th goal of his international career on its way into the net, although at first the 33-year-old Roma striker was unaware he had scored as his momentum had carried him away from the goal.

When both Veron and Batistuta departed soon after, the latter due to a slight calf strain, it was only then Nigeria gained a foothold on the match, although Cavallero remained untroubled.

Instead, it was Argentina who should have added a second, but further fine saves from Shorunmu ensured the scoreline remained a narrow defeat for the Africans.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will have received rave reports about Argentina as the build-up towards Friday's eagerly-anticipated showdown in Sapporo will now gather in fervour and intensity.

Teams

Subs Not Used: Almeyda, Bonano, Burgos, Caniggia, Chamot, Gallardo, Husain, Gustavo Lopez, Ayala.

Booked: Samuel, Simeone.

Goals: Batistuta 63.

Nigeria: Shorunmu, Yobo, Babayaro, Okoronkwo, West, Sodje (Christopher 73), Ogbeche, Okocha, Lawal, Kanu (Ikedia 48), Aghahowa.

Subs Not Used: Adepoju, Afolabi, Akwuegbu, Ejide, Ejiofor, Enyeama, Obiorah, Opabunmi, Udeze, Utaka.

Booked: Sodje.

Att: 34,050

Ref: Giles Veissiere (France).