Argentina and Nigeria progress
June 25, 2014
In an entertaining encounter on Wednesday night, Argentina just about came out 3-2 winners against Nigeria. The win kept Argentina's 100-percent record intact and kept them top of the group, while defeat for Nigeria mattered not. Iran's defeat to Bosnia in the simultaneous Group F match meant that Nigeria were guaranteed the second spot.
As early as the fourth minute, Argentina went ahead. Angel Di Maria hesistated, but after a fortunate rebound off the post, Lionel Messi tucked in his third goal to open the scoring.
Less than a minute later, Nigeria were level. Ahmed Musa finished a swift counterattack with a curling effort. A furious opening was followed by an injury to Sergio Aguero (replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi) before Lionel Messi placed a fantastic free kick in the top corner to restore Argentina's lead at the break,
The pace of the game continued in the second period and Nigeria equalized soon after the restart. Neat interplay saw Musa find both his and Nigeria's second with a neat finish. Typically of the game though, another goal followed as Argentina restored their lead for the third time in the game - defender Marco Rojo inadvertently kneeing the ball home from a corner.
Argentina briefly pressed for a fourth before Nigeria rallied in search of another equalizer. In the end three was the magic number for Argentina, as they marched through top of Group F. Nigeria are the only African side so far to reach the knockout phases, although Ghana and Algeria both have chances to follow in their footsteps.
Bosnia finish on a high
With Bosnia-Herzegovina already out of the competition, Vedad Ibisevic and friends were playing for pride against an Iran team capable of progressing given the right turn of results. Edin Dzeko missed a half-chance early on, but made amends by firing Bosnia ahead with a well-placed finish from outside the box. Iran rattled the bar instantly in search of an equalizer and Begovic made a superb save to deny them although Iran were offside.
Dominating possession, Bosnia looked comfortable and Miralem Pjanic made it two shortly before the hour mark, although replays suggested the possibility off offside. Iran continued, as they have all tournament, to battle in the face of defeat, and were rewarded with their first goal of the tournament as Reza Ghoochannejhad turned in from close range, in perhaps another offside situation.
Bosnia added instantly restored their two-goal cushion, as defender Avdija Vrsajevic placed a smart finish off the post to end the contest and both team's 2014 World Cup campaigns. Bosnia-Herzegovina also secured a victory in their maiden World Cup having qualified for the competition for the first time this year.
Argentina therefore top Group F with a perfect nine points from three games, four points sufficed for Nigeria to progress in second, ahead of Bosnia on three points and Iran with a solitary point.