Argentina’s Aguero taken to hospital after fainting in friendly match with Nigeria

• Nigeria beats Argentina 4-2

Argentina’s Sergio Aguero, center, challenge for the ball with Nigeria’s Leon Balogun, right, during the international friendly soccer match between Argentina and Nigeria in Krasnodar, Russia, Nov. 14, 2017.

Argentina striker Sergio Aguero was taken to a hospital for checks after he fainted during halftime of the team’s friendly match against Nigeria on Tuesday.

The Argentine Football Association said on its Twitter account that the Manchester City forward “had a blackout and was taken (to hospital) so routine examinations were made only as a precaution.”

The AFA gave no further details on the incident, which occurred after Aguero had scored in the first half.

In the match, an Argentina side without Lionel Messi squandered a two-goal lead and slipped to a shock 4-2 defeat.

Ever Banega and Aguero gave Argentina the lead, with Aguero’s Manchester City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho pulling a goal back for Nigeria just before halftime with a free kick.

Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored twice and Brian Idowu also found the net for Nigeria in the second half.

Argentina defender Javier Mascherano said: “Playing against a team of such physical strength you pay the price. They walked all over us… and when we tried to get back on the match we couldn’t.”

Argentina only secured its spot in the next World Cup in the last round of South American qualifiers and has not delivered convincing performances without Messi.

Source: The Associated Press