This has been one of the less exciting groups so far. It will probable be remembered for Messi’s spectacular goals, but going in to the final games we did have the possibility of lots being drawn to see who goes through.
Let the guys at FiveThirtyEight explain:
Most scenarios in Group F are simple. Argentina will advance in first place if it beats or draws Nigeria, or as the second-place team behind Nigeria if it loses to it.
[But if ]Nigeria loses to Argentina while Iran beats Bosnia … [the] scenario could get messy.
Say that Iran beats Bosnia 2-1 while Nigeria loses to Argentina by the same 2-1 scoreline. Both teams will have one win, one draw and one loss. Both will have two goals scored and two goals allowed. FIFA’s next tie-breaker is head-to-head results, but Nigeria and Iran drew their match. That means FIFA would be out of tiebreakers and forced to draw lots to determine who advances.
Is that clear? Then on we go ….
Argentina 3-2 Nigeria
- Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre – Attendance: 43,285 (95% in blue and white shirts)
- Referee – Nicola Rizzoli
- Argentina goals – Messi (4 & 45), Rojo (50)
- Nigeria goals – Mousa (5 & 47)
- Bookings – Omeruo, Oshaniwa
Fans of Italian football (or the Guardian football podcast) may be familiar with the idea of the ‘biscotti’ game, where both sides are happy to play out a draw.
Before the start of the game that may have suited both. But the carrot for an outright win was the much easier second round tie and the game started in spectacular fashion.
Argentina scored from their first attack as Messi struck after Di Maria’s effort had come off both posts to him. Ninety seconds later Nigeria scored from their first attack, when the pacy Ahmed Musa, so impressive against Bosnia surpassed himself with a finish Messi would have been proud of (and amazed by since it was right-footed).
The excitement of that opening died down a little, but the game remained open. Then, just before half time Nigeria conceded a free kick nearly thirty yards out. Messi scored. He’s good, one-footed, but good.
But right at the start of the second half Musa equalised again, cutting from the left before slotting home, after a great pass from Emenike, the player we wished Emile Heskey had been.
Argentina’s winner was not scored by Messi but off another bloke’s knee from a corner. It was a good game, one that might have created a more exciting group if it had been the first game.
Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Iran
- Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador – Attendance 48,011
- Referee – Carlos Velasco Carballo
- Bosnia goals – Dzeko (23), Pjanic (59) Vrsajevic (83)
- Iran goal – Ghoochannejhad (82)
- Bookings – Besic (Eagles Beak favourite), Ansarifard
Which Iran was going to turn up to this one? Would it be the dull side of the Nigeria game or the inspired counter-attacking side from the Argentina game? Could Bosnia turn some impressive build up play into goals and points, albeit too late in the day?
And how could we keep up with this game when all eyes were on the Argentina game? Fortunately we had the ‘expert’ opinion of Steve Claridge on the radio to keep us updated.
It was the chances missed by Edin Dzeko that cost Bosnia in the Nigeria game and as fate would have it he scored a fantastic goal from a chance harder than several he missed on Saturday to open things up against Iran.
Bosnia’s best player Miralem Pjanic added a second after an Iranian passing error, though ironically he was probably offside. As both teams continued to go for it, Charlton forward Ghoochannejhad pulled a goal back for Iran before full-back Vrsajevic did a mini-Carlos Alberto to restore the two goal lead.
A more exciting game than the previous two these had played and one that shows Bosnia probably under-achieved, or were unfairly denied by the wrongly disallowed goal against Nigeria.
Looking Ahead
Nigeria will have confidence going into the last 16 game against France after giving Argentina a good game. Argentina should be fine against Switzerland. They are heavily dependent on Messi of course but arguably less dependent than Brazil are on Neymar.
Final Group Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||
| 1 | Argentina | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Bos-Herce | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Iran | 3 | -3 | 1 |
