Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has claimed that his players' bravery was crucial in securing the 2-1 win over Nigeria which edged the Albiceleste into the knockout stages of the World Cup.

The two-time World Cup winners, who took just one point from their opening two games in Russia, needed victory against the Super Eagles to reach the last 16.

Lionel Messi had opened the scoring for Argentina in the first half and, even though Victor Moses equalised with a second-half penalty, Marcos Rojo volleyed home on 86 minutes to nudge the South Americans up to second place in Group D.

"My players achieved a victory which is very important for the future," Sampaoli, whose future has been under scrutiny in recent days, told reporters at full time. "It's a good opportunity.

"The players knew that they are excellent players and they wanted to show that. Today they won against an excellent opponent. We fought until the very last minute.

"We realised Nigeria had enough with a draw so we made many changes, trying to create opportunities. The players were brave and that courage made the second goal possible."

Argentina's reward for beating Nigeria is a last-16 tie against France in Kazan, which takes place on Saturday.