MOSCOW – Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero was rushed to a local hospital in Krasnodar after he fainted in Argentina’s dressing room during halftime of Tuesday’s friendly with Nigeria, local media reported.
Aguero, who scored the winner in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Russia on Saturday, netted his team’s second goal against Nigeria in the 36th minute in Krasnodar before he was replaced at the break.
Sport Express daily reported that Argentina’s team doctor took the decision to transport Aguero to hospital as a precaution and to undergo medical tests.
Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored twice as Nigeria stunned two-time former World Cup winners Argentina by recovering from two goals down to win 4-2.
Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega and Aguero fired Argentina, playing without the rested Lionel Messi, into a 2-0 lead after 36 minutes.
But Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one back on the stroke of halftime before Iwobi netted a second-half brace either side of a goal from Brian Idowu to shock the South Americans.
Argentina, who beat Russia 1-0 in Moscow on Saturday at the ground that will host next year’s World Cup, left Messi out of Tuesday’s friendly following an agreement with Barcelona.
Banega delivered the opening goal on 28 minutes with a well-struck free kick after Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was penalised for a handball outside his area.
Sergio Aguero (right) celebrates scoring the second goal for Argentina against Nigeria, but he was later taken to hospital. Photo: EPA
Argentina promptly doubled their advantage when Aguero, who scored the late winner over Russia, converted a right-wing cross by Cristian Pavon, the Boca Juniors winger making his first international start.
But Nigeria, who went unbeaten through their World Cup qualifying campaign, refused to surrender and Iheanacho halved the deficit before the break with a 25-yard free kick.
Iheanacho then found an unmarked Iwobi, who equalised from close range on 52 minutes, with Amkar Perm defender Idowu drilling Nigeria into a 3-2 lead moments later.
Argentina’s attempts to claw their way back into the match were ended when Iwobi grabbed his second goal on 73 minutes, taking a pass from Ahmed Musa and hammering home to seal just a second win over Argentina in eight meetings.