We take a look at the start of Group F which contains a real mixed bag of nations including one of the favourites to lift the famous trophy, Argentina.
Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
- The Maracana, Rio de Janeiro – Attendence 74,738
- Referee – Joel Aguilar
- Argentina goals – Kolasinac (3 – og), Messi (65)
- Bosnia-Herzegovina goal – Ibisevic (84)
- Bookings – Rojo, Spanic
It looked like both managers had failed to read the script for this World Cup. Most of the games so far have been open and attacking, but the manager’s selections suggested this one would be more cagey. Argentina played an extra defender while Bosnia opted for a five man midfield.
With those formations we might have expected some shadow boxing to start with. Instead Argentina scored the first time they had the ball in the Bosnian box, not that an Argentine touched it. Instead the young defender Kolasinac deflected Messi’s free kick past his keeper.
They say that an early goal can change a game and make things more attacking. In this case it didn’t. The rest of the first half played out like an early Champions League game. Both teams were technically good but reluctant to over-commit. The Bosnian central midfield of Pjanic and Besic impressed, cutting out space for Messi and spreading the ball wide to the full-backs.
Chances were hard to come by. The Manchester City forward line of Aguero and Dzeko, playing at opposite ends of the pitch, hardly got a touch. Bosnia finally brought out a save from keeper Sergio Romero when he made a good left-handed save from Lulic with five minutes of the half remaining.
Even though they were ahead, Argentine manager Alex Sabella made two substitutions at half-time, crucially bringing on Gonzalo Higuain for Maxi Rodriguez.
This freed up more space for Di Maria in midfield, and it was Higuain who provided the pass for Messi to sprint towards the Bosnian penalty cutting left then shooting past Begovic via the left hand post. A great goal that gave the Argentines a cushion which they were to need. Bosnia also brought on a recognized forward Ibisevic of Stuttgart and he took the one chance he was given with just over five minutes to go.
Argentina didn’t look great but may not face a challenge as good as Bosnia until the quarter-finals. As for Bosnia, they look a very capable side. They look to have enough solid defenders and midfielders to play a more positive game against Nigeria, and then Iran.
Iran 0-0 Nigeria
- Arena da Baixada, Curitiba – Attendance 38,081
- Referee – Carlos Vera
- Bookings – Teymourian
The World Cup to date has been entertaining to the point of excess. After excess comes the hangover.
Welcome to Iran versus Nigeria.
The first half started well. Both teams very determined and it was great to see Victor Moses get some early touches. But the game became a stalemate quickly. Nigeria had lots of possession but no final ball. Iran were committed and disciplined, but other than Ghoochannejhah’s header, saved by Enyama, they created little.
I went to the pub for the second half of this game. By the end there was no-one else watching. The game had cleared out the pub.
There was a frisson of excitement with the substitutions. Moses left early, replaced by Shola Amoebi. Shortly after that Nigeria brought on Baggies anti-hero Peter Odemwingie which at least lead to excitement on Twitter with the inevitable ‘only here because he didn’t sign for the Ivory Coast in time’ gags.
Amoebi, perhaps surprisingly, caused late excitement as he had a late header cleared off the line.
Neither Argentina nor Bosnia-Herzegovina will have nightmares after this, but the remaining games in the group might be tight and low-scoring as Nigeria and Iran may be difficult to score against.
But all in all, nothing to see here.
Looking Ahead
Hot favourites for the group Argentina take on Iran in the next game which could be full of goals. At one end.
The other game looks slightly better matched as Bosnia take on Nigeria with the winner looking the most likely to escape the group with Argentina.
With all four teams having played a game you have to say that Bosnia will be favourites for the runners-up spot beyond the South Americans but as we so often see, anything can happen in football. Just not Iran beating Argentina.
As It Stands
| Position | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
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| 1 | Argentina | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 2 | Iran | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Bos-Herce | 1 | -1 | 0 |
