2014 FIFA World Cup Group F

Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup consisted of Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and 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.

Teams

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Draw position Team Confederation Method of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
FIFA Rankings
October 2013[nb 1] June 2014
F1 (seed)   Argentina CONMEBOL CONMEBOL 1st winners 10 September 2013 16th 2010 Winners (1978, 1986) 3 5
F2   Bosnia and Herzegovina UEFA UEFA Group G winners 15 October 2013 1st 16 21
F3   Iran AFC AFC fourth round Group A 1st winners 18 June 2013 4th 2006 Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006) 49 43
F4   Nigeria CAF CAF third round winners 16 November 2013 5th 2010 Round of 16 (1994, 1998) 33 44
Notes
  1. ^ The rankings of October 2013 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Argentina 3 3 0 0 6 3 +3 9 Advance to knockout stage
2   Nigeria 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
3   Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 3
4   Iran 3 0 1 2 1 4 −3 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

Matches

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Argentina vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

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The two teams had met in two previous matches, both in friendlies, most recently in 2013, both won by Argentina.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3]

Kolašinac's own goal after two minutes and nine seconds broke the record for the fastest own goal in the history of the FIFA World Cup, surpassing Carlos Gamarra's own goal (two minutes and 46 seconds) in Paraguay's first group stage match against England at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[4]

Argentina  2–1  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Argentina
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
GK 1 Sergio Romero
CB 3 Hugo Campagnaro   46'
CB 17 Federico Fernández
CB 2 Ezequiel Garay
RWB 4 Pablo Zabaleta
LWB 16 Marcos Rojo   25'
RM 11 Maxi Rodríguez   46'
CM 14 Javier Mascherano
LM 7 Ángel Di María
CF 10 Lionel Messi (c)
CF 20 Sergio Agüero   87'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Gonzalo Higuaín   46'
MF 5 Fernando Gago   46'
MF 6 Lucas Biglia   87'
Manager:
Alejandro Sabella
 
GK 1 Asmir Begović
RB 13 Mensur Mujdža   69'
CB 3 Ermin Bičakčić
CB 4 Emir Spahić (c)   63'
LB 5 Sead Kolašinac
DM 7 Muhamed Bešić
DM 20 Izet Hajrović   71'
RW 8 Miralem Pjanić
AM 10 Zvjezdan Misimović   74'
LW 16 Senad Lulić
CF 11 Edin Džeko
Substitutions:
FW 9 Vedad Ibišević   69'
MF 19 Edin Višća   71'
MF 18 Haris Medunjanin   74'
Manager:
Safet Sušić

Man of the Match:
Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Assistant referees:
William Torres (El Salvador)
Juan Zumba (El Salvador)
Fourth official:
Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)
Fifth official:
Abdelhalk Etchiali (Algeria)

Iran vs Nigeria

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The two teams had met in one previous match, in the 1998 Lunar New Year Cup, won 1–0 by Nigeria.[6]

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.[7][8]

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, where there were no draws in the entire tournament.[9] This was also the first clean sheet kept by Iran in the World Cup.[10][11]

Iran  0–0  Nigeria
Report
Attendance: 39,081
Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iran
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nigeria
GK 12 Alireza Haghighi
RB 4 Jalal Hosseini
CB 5 Amir Hossein Sadeghi
CB 15 Pejman Montazeri
LB 23 Mehrdad Pooladi
CM 2 Khosro Heydari   89'
CM 14 Andranik Teymourian   75'
AM 6 Javad Nekounam (c)
RF 21 Ashkan Dejagah   73'
CF 16 Reza Ghoochannejhad
LF 3 Ehsan Hajsafi
Substitutions:
FW 9 Alireza Jahanbakhsh   73'
MF 7 Masoud Shojaei   89'
Manager:
  Carlos Queiroz
 
GK 1 Vincent Enyeama (c)
RB 5 Efe Ambrose
CB 13 Juwon Oshaniwa
CB 14 Godfrey Oboabona   29'
LB 22 Kenneth Omeruo
CM 17 Ogenyi Onazi
CM 15 Ramon Azeez   69'
CM 10 John Obi Mikel
RW 11 Victor Moses   52'
LW 7 Ahmed Musa
CF 9 Emmanuel Emenike
Substitutions:
DF 2 Joseph Yobo   29'
FW 23 Shola Ameobi   52'
FW 8 Peter Odemwingie   69'
Manager:
Stephen Keshi

Man of the Match:
John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)

Assistant referees:
Christian Lescano (Ecuador)
Byron Romero (Ecuador)
Fourth official:
Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
Fifth official:
Humberto Clavijo (Colombia)

Argentina vs Iran

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The two teams had met in one previous match, in a friendly in 1977, won on penalties by Argentina after a 1–1 draw .[12]

In a match where Argentina dominated in terms of possession and shots,[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] With the win, Argentina were guaranteed to advance to the knockout stage.

Argentina  1–0  Iran
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Argentina
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iran
GK 1 Sergio Romero
RB 4 Pablo Zabaleta
CB 17 Federico Fernández
CB 2 Ezequiel Garay
LB 16 Marcos Rojo
CM 5 Fernando Gago
CM 14 Javier Mascherano
CM 7 Ángel Di María   90+4'
RF 10 Lionel Messi (c)
CF 9 Gonzalo Higuaín   76'
LF 20 Sergio Agüero   76'
Substitutions:
FW 18 Rodrigo Palacio   76'
FW 22 Ezequiel Lavezzi   76'
MF 6 Lucas Biglia   90+4'
Manager:
Alejandro Sabella
 
GK 12 Alireza Haghighi
RB 4 Jalal Hosseini
CB 5 Amir Hossein Sadeghi
CB 15 Pejman Montazeri
LB 23 Mehrdad Pooladi
DM 14 Andranik Teymourian
DM 6 Javad Nekounam (c)   53'
RM 21 Ashkan Dejagah   85'
CM 7 Masoud Shojaei   73'   76'
LM 3 Ehsan Hajsafi   88'
CF 16 Reza Ghoochannejhad
Substitutions:
DF 2 Khosro Heydari   76'
MF 9 Alireza Jahanbakhsh   85'
MF 8 Reza Haghighi   88'
Manager:
  Carlos Queiroz

Man of the Match:
Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Assistant referees:
Milovan Ristić (Serbia)
Dalibor Đurđević (Serbia)
Fourth official:
Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
Fifth official:
Aden Range (Kenya)

Nigeria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

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The two teams had never met before.[16]

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.[17] Referee Peter O'Leary later admitted Džeko's goal was disallowed in error.[18] 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.[19]

Nigeria  1–0  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Report
Attendance: 40,499
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nigeria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
GK 1 Vincent Enyeama
RB 5 Efe Ambrose
CB 2 Joseph Yobo (c)
CB 13 Juwon Oshaniwa
LB 22 Kenneth Omeruo
CM 17 Ogenyi Onazi
CM 10 John Obi Mikel   81'
RW 7 Ahmed Musa   65'
AM 8 Peter Odemwingie
LW 18 Michel Babatunde   75'
CF 9 Emmanuel Emenike
Substitutions:
FW 23 Shola Ameobi   65'
MF 3 Ejike Uzoenyi   75'
 
Manager:
Stephen Keshi
 
GK 1 Asmir Begović
RB 13 Mensur Mujdža
CB 15 Toni Šunjić
CB 4 Emir Spahić (c)
LB 18 Haris Medunjanin   6'   64'
DM 8 Miralem Pjanić
DM 7 Muhamed Bešić
RW 20 Izet Hajrović   57'
AM 10 Zvjezdan Misimović
LW 16 Senad Lulić   58'
CF 11 Edin Džeko
Substitutions:
FW 9 Vedad Ibišević   57'
MF 23 Sejad Salihović   58'
MF 14 Tino-Sven Sušić   64'
Manager:
Safet Sušić

Man of the Match:
Peter Odemwingie (Nigeria)

Assistant referees:
Jan-Hendrik Hintz (New Zealand)
Mark Rule (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Roberto Moreno (Panama)
Fifth official:
Eric Boria (United States)

Nigeria vs Argentina

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The two teams had met in six previous matches, including three times in the FIFA World Cup group stage, all won by Argentina (1994: 2–1; 2002: 1–0; 2010: 1–0).[20]

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, and he cut inside and curled the ball into the net.[21] 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.[22]

Musa became the first Nigerian player to score more than once in a World Cup match.[23]

Nigeria  2–3  Argentina
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nigeria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Argentina
GK 1 Vincent Enyeama
RB 5 Efe Ambrose
CB 2 Joseph Yobo (c)
CB 13 Juwon Oshaniwa   51'
LB 22 Kenneth Omeruo   49'
CM 17 Ogenyi Onazi
CM 10 John Obi Mikel
RW 7 Ahmed Musa
LW 18 Michel Babatunde   66'
SS 8 Peter Odemwingie   80'
CF 9 Emmanuel Emenike
Substitutions:
FW 20 Michael Uchebo   66'
FW 19 Uche Nwofor   80'
Manager:
Stephen Keshi
 
GK 1 Sergio Romero
RB 4 Pablo Zabaleta
CB 17 Federico Fernández
CB 2 Ezequiel Garay
LB 16 Marcos Rojo
RM 5 Fernando Gago
CM 14 Javier Mascherano
LM 7 Ángel Di María
AM 10 Lionel Messi (c)   63'
CF 9 Gonzalo Higuaín   90'
CF 20 Sergio Agüero   38'
Substitutions:
FW 22 Ezequiel Lavezzi   38'
MF 19 Ricky Álvarez   63'
MF 6 Lucas Biglia   90'
Manager:
Alejandro Sabella

Man of the Match:
Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Assistant referees:
Renato Faverani (Italy)
Andrea Stefani (Italy)
Fourth official:
Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)
Fifth official:
Kim Haglund (Norway)

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Iran

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The two teams had met in five previous matches, all in friendlies, most recently in 2009.[24]

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had already been eliminated, led 1–0 at half-time through a goal by Edin Džeko, shooting low with his left foot after he received a pass from Miralem Pjanić. Pjanić extended the lead in the second half when he slotted low past the goalkeeper, after receiving a through ball from Tino-Sven Sušić. Iran, which had to win and also hoped Nigeria lost to Argentina to have any chance for qualification to the knockout stage, reduced the deficit after Reza Ghoochannejhad tapped home from close range from a Javad Nekounam cross.[25] However, Bosnia and Herzegovina scored a third goal when Avdija Vršajević slotted home with his right foot after Sejad Salihović played him in on the right, sealing their first win in World Cup finals history, and also confirming Iran's elimination, meaning that they failed to advance to the knockout stage for all four of their World Cup campaigns.[26]

With Ghoochannejhad's goal for Iran, the 2014 World Cup became the first since 1998 in which every participating team managed to score at least once.[27]

Bosnia and Herzegovina  3–1  Iran
Report Ghoochannejhad   82'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iran
GK 1 Asmir Begović
RB 2 Avdija Vršajević
CB 15 Toni Šunjić
CB 4 Emir Spahić (c)
LB 5 Sead Kolašinac
CM 8 Miralem Pjanić
CM 7 Muhamed Bešić   78'
RW 21 Anel Hadžić   61'
LW 14 Tino-Sven Sušić   79'
CF 11 Edin Džeko   85'
CF 9 Vedad Ibišević
Substitutions:
DF 6 Ognjen Vranješ   61'
MF 23 Sejad Salihović   79'
FW 19 Edin Višća   85'
Manager:
Safet Sušić
 
GK 12 Alireza Haghighi
RB 4 Jalal Hosseini
CB 5 Amir Hossein Sadeghi
CB 15 Pejman Montazeri
LB 23 Mehrdad Pooladi
CM 6 Javad Nekounam (c)
CM 14 Andranik Teymourian
RW 21 Ashkan Dejagah   68'
AM 7 Masoud Shojaei   46'
LW 3 Ehsan Hajsafi   63'
CF 16 Reza Ghoochannejhad
Substitutions:
MF 2 Khosro Heydari   46'
FW 9 Alireza Jahanbakhsh   63'
FW 10 Karim Ansarifard   88'   68'
Manager:
  Carlos Queiroz

Man of the Match:
Edin Džeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Assistant referees:
Roberto Alonso (Spain)
Juan Carlos Yuste (Spain)
Fourth official:
Enrique Osses (Chile)
Fifth official:
Carlos Astroza (Chile)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  2. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (16 June 2014). "Lionel Messi's sparkle returns to secure Argentina victory over Bosnia". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  3. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (15 June 2014). "World Cup: Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Hercegovina". BBC Sport.
  4. ^ Janela, Mike (2 July 2014). "World Cup records fall in Brazil as tournament reaches the quarterfinals". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Referee designations for matches 9-11" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 June 2014.
  6. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  7. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (16 June 2014). "Iran 0-0 Nigeria". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  8. ^ Lowe, Sid (16 June 2014). "Nigeria and Iran lower World Cup pulse with forgettable goalless draw". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  9. ^ Masefield, Fraser (16 June 2014). "World Cup - Bore draw does nothing for Iran or Nigeria". Yahoo! Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Haghighi: Iran excel in tough situations". FIFA. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  11. ^ Delaney, Miguel (17 June 2014). "Iran 0 Nigeria 0 match report: Unlucky 13 for World Cup as Carlos Queiroz masterminds first stalemate of tournament". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  12. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  13. ^ Ornstein, David (21 June 2014). "World Cup: Argentina 1-0 Iran". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Argentina 1 Iran 0". theguardian.com.
  15. ^ "Should Iran have had a penalty for Pablo Zabaleta's foul on Ashkan Dejagah in the box?". metro.co.uk.
  16. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. p. 35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  17. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (22 June 2014). "Nigeria's Peter Odemwingie sends Bosnia-Herzegovina out of World Cup". The Observer. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  18. ^ Theunissen, Matthew (9 November 2014). "Death threat ref's international return". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  19. ^ Oscroft, Tim (21 June 2014). "World Cup: Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  20. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. p. 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  21. ^ Lowe, Sid (25 June 2014). "Lionel Messi hits double in Argentina win but Nigeria go through too". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  22. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (25 June 2014). "Nigeria 2-3 Argentina". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  23. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (26 June 2014). "World Cup 2104: Musa revels in Nigerian goals record". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  24. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. p. 47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  25. ^ Wilson, Paul (25 June 2014). "Iran slump out of World Cup with disappointing defeat to Bosnia". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  26. ^ Woodcock, Ian (25 June 2014). "World Cup: Bosnia-Hercegovina 3-1 Iran". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  27. ^ "Copa do Mundo tem gols de todas seleções pela primeira vez desde 1998". UOL Copa (in Portuguese). São Paulo: Grupo Folha. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
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