2014 FIFA World Cup Group F: Difference between revisions

'''Group F''' of the '''[[2014 FIFA World Cup]]''' consisted of [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Iran national football team|Iran]] and [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]. Play began on 15 June and ended on 25 June 2014. The top two teams, Argentina and Nigeria, advanced to the round of 16.

!colspan=42|[[FIFA World Rankings|FIFA Rankings]]

| F1 ''(seed)'' || style=white-space:nowrap | {{fb|ARG}} || [[CONMEBOL]] || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|CONMEBOL]] <span style="display:none">1st</span> winners || 10 September 2013 || data-sort-value="16" | 16th || [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] || data-sort-value="7.2" | '''Winners''' ([[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978]], [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]) || 3 || 5 || 2 || 9

| F2 || style=white-space:nowrap | {{fb|BIH}} || [[UEFA]] || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G|UEFA Group G]] winners || 15 October 2013 || data-sort-value="1" | 1st || data-sort-value="2014" | — || data-sort-value="0.0" | — || 16 || 21 || 19 || 48

| F3 || style=white-space:nowrap | {{fb|IRN}} || [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourthfourth Roundround#Group A|AFC Fourthfourth Roundround Group A]] <span style="display:none">1st</span> winners || 18 June 2013 || data-sort-value="4" | 4th || [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] || data-sort-value="1.3" | Group stage ([[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]]) || 49 || 43 || 48 || 27

| F4 || style=white-space:nowrap | {{fb|NGA}} || [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Thirdthird Roundround|CAF Thirdthird Roundround]] winners || 16 November 2013 || data-sort-value="5" | 5th || [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] || data-sort-value="2.2" | Round of 16 ([[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]) || 33 || 44 || 33 || 35

Bosnia and Herzegovina conceded three minutes into their World Cup debut, when [[Lionel Messi]]'s free kick from the left was flicked on by [[Marcos Rojo]] and bounced off [[Sead Kolašinac]] into the net for an own goal. In the second half, Messi played a one-two with substitute [[Gonzalo Higuaín]] and shot home from the edge of the penalty area with his left foot into the bottom-right corner.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Lionel Messi’sMessi's sparkle returns to secure Argentina victory over Bosnia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/16/argentina-bosnia-herzegovina-world-cup-group-f-match-report |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=16 June 2014 |accessdate=30 October 2014 }}</ref> With five minutes remaining in normal time, Bosnia and Herzegovina pulled one back, when [[Senad Lulić]]'s pass found substitute [[Vedad Ibišević]] to score the country's first ever World Cup goal, shooting under the goalkeeper with his left foot.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera |title=World Cup: Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Hercegovina |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285099 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2014 }}</ref>

<section begin=f1 /onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Football box|main|section=f1

|time=19:00 [[Time in Brazil|BRT]] ([[UTC−03:00|UTC−3]])

|report=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcupfifaplus/matchesen/round=255931match-centre/match=300186477/report.html17/251164/255931/300186477?date=2014-06-16 Report]

|referee=[[Joel Aguilar]] ([[Salvadoran Football Federation|El Salvador]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Referee designations for matches 9-11 |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/95/17/140613_9-11_neutral.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628151256/http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/95/17/140613_9-11_neutral.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2014 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=13 June 2014 }}</ref>

In a goalless game of few chances, Iran's [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]] forced a save from [[Vincent Enyeama]] in the first half, while Nigeria substitute [[Shola Ameobi]] headed wide in the second half.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury|title=Iran 0-0 Nigeria |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285113 |publisher=BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation) |date=16 June 2014 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Nigeria and Iran lower World Cup pulse with forgettable goalless draw |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/16/iran-nigeria-world-cup-2014-group-f-match-report |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=16 June 2014 |accessdate=30 October 2014 }}</ref>

This was the first goalless match as well as the first draw of the tournament after the previous 12 matches all produced a winner, and was the longest wait for a draw in a single tournament since [[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]], where there were no draws in the entire tournament.<ref>{{cite news |first=Fraser |last=Masefield |title=World Cup - Bore draw does nothing for Iran or Nigeria |url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/world-cup-iran-nigeria-matchpack-surprise-packages-142308534--sow.html |publisher=Yahoo! Sport |date=16 June 2014 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref> This was also the first clean sheet kept by Iran in the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haghighi: Iran excel in tough situations |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/haghighi-iran-excel-in-tough-situations-2379167 |firstwebsite=DanFIFA |lastaccessdate=Ripley27 October 2020 |titledate=Nigeria21 0-0June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Delaney |first1=Miguel |title=Iran World0 CupNigeria 20140 MATCHmatch REPORTreport: SuperUnlucky Eagles13 booedfor offWorld afterCup failingas toCarlos Queiroz masterminds first breakstalemate downof minnowstournament |url=httphttps://www.dailymailindependent.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014football/article-2658461international/Iraniran-vs0-Nigerianigeria-World0-Cupmatch-2014report-LIVEunlucky-Follow13-Groupworld-Fcup-actioncarlos-happensqueiroz-masterminds-first-stalemate-tournament-9541991.html |workarchive-url=MailOnlinehttps://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/iran-0-nigeria-0-match-report-unlucky-13-world-cup-carlos-queiroz-masterminds-first-stalemate-tournament-9541991.html |publisherarchive-date=Associated1 NewspapersMay 2022 |dateurl-access=16subscription June 2014|url-status=live |accessdate=2827 DecemberOctober 20142020 }}</ref>{{deprecated inline|certainwork=yesThe Independent |date=November17 2019June 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

<section begin=f2 /onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Football box|main|section=f2

|time=16:00 [[Time in Brazil|BRT]] ([[UTC−03:00|UTC−3]])

|report=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcupfifaplus/matchesen/round=255931match-centre/match=300186505/report.html17/251164/255931/300186505?date=2014-06-16 Report]

|LW ||'''7''' ||[[Ahmed Musa (footballer)|Ahmed Musa]]

In a match where Argentina dominated in terms of possession and shots,<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Ornstein |title=World Cup: Argentina 1-0 Iran |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285221 |publisher=BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation) |date=21 June 2014 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref> they scored the only goal one minute into second half injury time when [[Lionel Messi]] received a pass from [[Ezequiel Lavezzi]] on the right wing, dribbled inside and curled a left-footed shot past the outstretched hands of the Iranian keeper [[Alireza Haghighi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/21/argentina-iran-world-cup-2014-group-f-match-report|title=Argentina 1 Iran 0|publisher=theguardian.com}}</ref> Before the goal, Iran had chances to score, but Argentina goalkeeper [[Sergio Romero]] was able to save [[Ashkan Dejagah]]'s header and [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]]'s shot, and Dejagah also had a penalty appeal turned down when Argentina defender [[Pablo Zabaleta]] tackled him in the area but only just got his toe to the ball.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/21/should-iran-have-had-a-penalty-for-pablo-zabaletas-foul-on-ashkan-dejagah-in-the-box-4770930/ |title=Should Iran have had a penalty for Pablo Zabaleta’sZabaleta's foul on Ashkan Dejagah in the box?|publisher=metro.co.uk }}</ref> With the win, Argentina were guaranteed to advance to the knockout stage.

<section begin=f3 /onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Football box|main|section=f3

|time=13:00 [[Time in Brazil|BRT]] ([[UTC−03:00|UTC−3]])

|report=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcupfifaplus/matchesen/round=255931match-centre/match=300186466/report.html17/251164/255931/300186466?date=2014-06-21 Report]

Bosnia and Herzegovina thought they had taken the lead when [[Edin Džeko]] put the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside, which replays later showed to be an incorrect decision.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |title=Nigeria’sNigeria's Peter Odemwingie sends Bosnia-Herzegovina out of World Cup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/22/nigeria-bosnia-herzegovina-world-cup-group-f-match-report |work=The Observer |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=22 June 2014 |accessdate=30 October 2014 }}</ref> Referee Peter O'Leary later admitted Džeko's goal was disallowed in error.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Theunissen |title=Death threat ref's international return |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11355527 |work=nzherald.co.nz |date=9 November 2014 |accessdate=9 November 2014 }}</ref> Seven minutes later, Nigeria took the lead when [[Emmanuel Emenike]] burst past [[Emir Spahić]] to cross for [[Peter Odemwingie]] to score, firing in through the legs of Asmir Begovic. Džeko came closest to scoring the equaliser to keep his team's qualification chances alive, but his shot in second-half stoppage time was deflected onto the post by Nigeria goalkeeper [[Vincent Enyeama]]. Nigeria held for the win and eliminated Bosnia and Herzegovina as a result.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Oscroft |title=World Cup: Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285235 |publisher=BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation) |date=21 June 2014 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref>

<section begin=f4 /onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Football box|main|section=f4

|time=18:00 [[Time in Brazil|AMT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC−4]])

|report=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcupfifaplus/matchesen/round=255931match-centre/match=300186511/report.html17/251164/255931/300186511?date=2014-06-22 Report]

|RW ||'''7''' ||[[Ahmed Musa (footballer)|Ahmed Musa]] || || {{suboff|65}}

Before the match, Nigeria were the only team yet to concede in the tournament, but their defence were breached inside three minutes when [[Ángel Di María]]'s shot hit the post and [[Lionel Messi]] slammed home the rebound. Nigeria, which would qualify for the knockout stage if they gained a point or if Iran failed to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the other match, equalised within a minute, when [[Michel Babatunde]] fed [[Ahmed Musa (footballer)|Ahmed Musa]], and he cut inside and curled the ball into the net.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Lionel Messi hits double in Argentina win but Nigeria go through too |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/25/nigeria-argentina-world-cup-group-f-match-report |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=25 June 2014 |accessdate=30 October 2014 }}</ref> Messi put Argentina in front in first half injury time with a direct free kick, but Musa equalised once again early in the second half, after playing a one-two with [[Emmanuel Emenike]] and scored. Argentina, which needed only a point to win the group, then scored the game winner when a corner from [[Ezequiel Lavezzi]] was flicked on by an [[Ezequiel Garay]] header and [[Marcos Rojo]] scored with his knee. Argentina won the group with a perfect record of three wins out of three, while Nigeria were able to qualify as group runners-up despite losing as Iran also lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the other match.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Nigeria 2-3 Argentina |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285406 |publisher=BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation) |date=25 June 2014 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref>

<section begin=f5 /onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Football box|main|section=f5

|time=13:00 [[Time in Brazil|BRT]] ([[UTC−03:00|UTC−3]])

|report=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcupfifaplus/matchesen/round=255931match-centre/match=300186458/report.html17/251164/255931/300186458?date=2014-06-25 Report]

*[[Ahmed Musa (footballer)|Musa]] {{goal|4||47}}

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|RW ||'''7''' ||[[Ahmed Musa (footballer)|Ahmed Musa]]

<section begin=f6 /onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Football box|main|section=f6

|time=13:00 [[Time in Brazil|BRT]] ([[UTC−03:00|UTC−3]])

|report=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcupfifaplus/matchesen/round=255931match-centre/match=300186464/report.html17/251164/255931/300186464?date=2014-06-25 Report]

|stadium = [[Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova]], [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]]

|attendance = 48,011

|referee = [[Carlos Velasco Carballo]] ([[Royal Spanish Football Federation|Spain]])

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140413000752/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/groups/group=255943/index.html 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F], FIFA.com

{{commons category|FIFA World Cup 2014 group F}}