Final, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 3-1: It’s over in Group F. Argentina and Nigeria are moving on.
Argentina defeats Nigeria in an entertaining Group finale. Argentina wins Group F, after going a perfect three for three.
Nigeria loses to Argentina, but progresses to knockout round thanks to the four points it picked up against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Bosnia-Herzegovina ended its maiden World Cup voyage with a resounding victory over Iran. It finishes third with three points.
Iran scored its first goal of the tournament in its loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina. It finishes last with one point.
Here are the final Group F standings:
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Nigeria will face the winner of Group E on Monday. Argentina will face the second-place team in Group E on July 1.
That’s all for now and thanks for joining us. Let’s discuss this one on Twitter @NESNsoccer and Facebook. Be sure to keep an eye out for some news, fan reactions, analysis and opinion that is on the way on NESN.com.
83rd minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 3-1: Bosnia-Herzegovina answers Iran’s goal with one of its own.
Avdija Vrasajevic, the right fullback, does the honors.
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82nd minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 2-1: Iran is finally on the board. Reza Ghoochannejad is the man of the moment.
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Every team at the 2014 World Cup has had a chance to celebrate.
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69th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 2-0: Meanwhile, Bosnia-Herzegovina is in total control against Iran.
Bosnia-Herzegovina is dominating possession, creating more quality scoring chances and doing a better job of finishing them, too.
It looks like there won’t be any last-day surprises in Group F.
65h minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 2-0: Nigeria winger Michael Babatunde leaves the game due to injury.
Nigeria’s Ogenyi Onzai’s shot hit Babatunde in the arm, causing it to break. Click here to see it (warning: it’s not for the squeamish).
64th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 2-0: Messi’s game is over. Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella substituted the superstar, replacing him with Ricky Alvarez.
Barring a sudden reversal in score, Argentina will win Group F. Messi deserves a rest. Argentina will need him in the knockout rounds.
59th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 2-0: Miralem Pjanic has given Bosnia-Herzegovina a two-goal lead against Iran.
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It came after Iran gave the ball away in its own third of the field.
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50th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-3, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 1-0: Argentina quickly retakes the lead after left back Marcos Rojo heads home a corner kick.
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47th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 2-2, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 1-0: Musa scores again for Nigeria, and the Super Eagles are tied with Argentina once again.
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Halftime, Nigeria-Argentina 1-2, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 1-0: It’s halftime in both games.
Argentina leads Nigeria thanks to Messi’s magic. Bosnia-Herzegovina is in front of Iran on account of Dzeko’s long-range strike.
As things currently stand, Argentina would win Group F with nine points. Nigeria would finish second with four points. Bosnia-Herzegovina can finish third with three points. Iran would be last in the group with one point.
37th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 1-2, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 1-0: Messi scores his second goal of the game. This time it’s with a perfect free kick.
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37th minute, Nigeria-Argentina 1-1, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 1-0: Sergio Aguero is down and out.
The Argentina striker has limped off the field after suffering an apparent leg muscle injury. Ezequiel Lavezzi replaces Aguero.
In the other game, Bosnia-Herzegovina captain Emir Spahic has been stretchered off the field. The central defender landed awkwardly after colliding with Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejad.
23rd minute, Nigeria-Argentina 1-1, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 1-0: Eden Dzeko has given Bosnia-Herzegovina the the lead against Iran.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina striker beat Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi from 25 yards out with a low, left-footed drive.
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Iran nearly tied it on its next possession. Attacking midfielder Masoud Shojaei hit the crossbar with a shot that then bounced on the goal line.
Goal-line technology assured us that it was not a goal.
Ninth minute, Nigeria-Argentina 1-1, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 0-0: Argentina continues to threaten the Nigeria goal.
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama saved Di Maria’s latest effort. Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain’s shot then glanced off the post.
Third minute, Nigeria-Argentina 1-1, Bosnia-Herzegovina-Iran 0-0: The goals already are flying in.
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Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead with a goal in the third minute.
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Angel di Maria nearly doubled Argentina’s lead when he hit the post shortly after Messi’s goal.
It’s too bad he didn’t (for Argentina) because Nigeria winger Ahmed Musa tied the score with a superb curling effort from inside the Argentina penalty area in the fourth minute.
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Noon: The Group F games are underway.
11:45 a.m. ET: Action in Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup ends Wednesday when Argentina takes on Nigeria, and Bosnia-Herzegovina plays Iran.
Argentina hasn’t played its best soccer in the 2014 World Cup yet but it already has qualified for the Round of 16. It can win Group F by earning at least a draw against Nigeria.
Nigeria can finish as runner-up in Group F with a draw or more. Out of the four teams in Group F, the Super Eagles probably have the most to lose in the final gameday.
Iran can force a tie-breaker scenario with a win and a Nigeria loss. If “Team Melli” advances to the knockout phase, it would be one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup history.
Bosnia-Herzegovina already has been eliminated from the 2014 World Cup. Pride will be at stake when it faces Iran.
Here’s how the standings look before kickoff:
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The games kick off at noon. Stay right here for all the action.
Group F preview >>
Photo via Twitter/@elcosodelapizza
