Soccer - Argentina win gold with Di Maria gem

By Brian Homewood

BEIJING (Reuters) - Argentina retained their Olympic soccer title by beating Nigeria 1-0 on Saturday with a stunning Angel Di Maria goal in a final adversely affected by scorching conditions.

Di Maria, guilty of a remarkable double penalty-miss in a group game against Serbia, broke clear of the Nigeria defence and clipped the ball over Ambruse Vanzekin in the 58th minute as the on-pitch temperature hit 42 Celsius.

Wilting in the searing heat, the Argentines survived a torrid half hour of Nigerian pressure to cling on for victory.

The midday showdown at the Bird's Nest was a repeat of the 1996 final, which Nigeria won 3-2 to become the first African team to win the tournament.

Both coaches said their teams suffered in the heat, which also made fully-suited FIFA president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Julio Grondona look uncomfortable as they handed out medals and flowers in the victory ceremony.

"I think it actually affected both countries," Nigeria's Samson Siasia told reporters. "Most players didn't perform to their best level because of the heat.

The Olympic soccer tournament is restricted to under-23 teams with each allowed to field up to three over-age players.

"Of course, it was not the same spectacle as it would have been (with an evening kick off), today it was very hot and the players felt it," said Argentina coach Sergio Batista.