#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 - 1 Iran

Iran's dreams of reaching the second round of the World Cup have ended with a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Despite a bright start from Iran, it was Bosnia who took the lead on 23 minutes when Edin Dzeko found the bottom corner with a powerful drive from just outside of the penalty area.

The Iranians came close to an instant response as Masoud Shojaei's effort hit the crossbar, while Ashkan Dejagah saw his free kick smash against the wall.

Carlos Queiroz's side continued to create the openings for the remainder of what was a slow-burning first half, but they were unable to breach the solid Bosnian defence.

Both teams battled hard at the start of the second half before Bosnia doubled their advantage when Miralem Pjanic rounded off a slick passing move with a calm finish.

They came close to adding a third when Dzeko poked wide on 66 minutes before Sead Kolasinac saw his effort hit the foot of the post.

Iran pulled a goal back on 81 minutes through Reza Ghoochannejhad's strike, but their joy did not last long as the Bosnian's regained their two-goal advantage through Avdija Vrsajevic's powerful drive two minutes later.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Bosnia-Herzegovina Vs Iran

Iran will look to send Bosnia-Herzegovina back home winless and surprisingly reach the last 16 of the World Cup when they play their final group game in Salvador on Wednesday afternoon.

Carlos Queiroz's side can reach the knockout stages of the tournament if they beat Bosnia and Argentina get the better of Nigeria in the other match.

They were cruelly beaten by Lionel Messi's last-gasp strike on Saturday and will be confident of beating a Bosnia side who are already out of the tournament.

After playing well against Argentina, Bosnia fell to Nigeria and will now be playing for pride in two days' time.

Bosnia coach Safet Susic could make changes, but star players Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic are likely to continue.

Even if Iran manage to win, they might be denied a place in the last 16 if FIFA needs to draw lots to decide who goes through between them and Nigeria.

If Iran beat Bosnia 1-0 and Nigeria lose to Argentina by the same scoreline, then both teams will be completely level and the team that progresses will be completely down to luck.

Interestingly, Iran were the first team that Bosnia-Herzegovina ever played in a non-FIFA international way back in 1993 soon after their independence from Yugoslavia.

The last time the two met was in a 2009 friendly when Dzeko scored twice, but Bosnia still went down 3-2 in Sarajevo.

Recent form

Bosnia-Herzegovina: LLWWLL

Iran: LDWDDD

Possible starting lineups

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Begovic, Spahic, Besic, Misimovic, Mujdza, Sunjic, Lulic, Medunjanin, Hajrovic, Pjanic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Haji Safi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Nekounam, Shojaei, Timotian, Montarezi, Ghoochannejad, Dejagah, Pooladi

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Argentina 1 - 0 Iran

An injury-time winner from Lionel Messi has given Argentina a narrow 1-0 victory over Iran in their World Cup encounter in Belo Horizonte.

The result has seen Argentina reach the last 16 of the tournament with one game left to play in Group F.

Both sides enjoyed an even start to the match, but it was Iran who almost made the breakthrough with just four minutes played when Jalal Hosseini headed inches wide.

However, the Argentines took control soon after as Gonzalo Higuain had an effort saved from close range before Angel di Maria shot off target from the edge of the penalty area.

Argentina threatened again on 21 minutes when Sergio Aguero was allowed to get a shot off inside the penalty area, only for goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi to push the ball away from danger in acrobatic style.

The chances continued to fall the way of the dominant South Americans as Lionel Messi curled a free kick over the crossbar, while Ezequiel Garay somehow headed over from close range moments later after getting on the end of Messi's free kick.

A final opportunity of the first half went to Iran when Hosseini rose highest once more in the box, though he could only head over on this occasion.

The Iranians continued to frustrate their opponents into the second half, though they had reason to be worried when Messi ran at their defence menacingly with just under an hour played. However, his dynamic break ended with a wayward shot.

Iran, who sat deeper and deeper as the match progressed, carved open a wonderful chance on 66 minutes as Ashkan Dejagah got in front of his marker to get a header on goal, but Sergio Romero managed to tip it over the bar with the deftest of touches.

Argentina threw everything at their opponents as the clock ticked down towards the 90-minute mark, with Rodrigo Palacio and Ezequiel Lavezzi brought on to liven up their attack, but the Iranians held firm.

Iran could have snatched a dramatic win in the final five minutes as Reza Ghoochannejhad was sent clear through on the Argentina goal, but his effort on the angle was pushed away by Romero.

However, with the first minute of injury time played, Lionel Messi was allowed to cut onto his left foot inside the area before drilling an unstoppable shot into the top corner to claim Argentina a dramatic triumph.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Argentina Vs Iran

Argentina are likely to make changes for their second Group F fixture with Iran on Saturday afternoon.

Alejandro Sabella's side struggled for the first hour of their match with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday night before an excellent finish from Lionel Messi proved decisive as they ran out 2-1 winners.

The victory came as a result of Sabella switching from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3 setup, and their improvement in the second 45 minutes is likely to see Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain introduced into the starting lineup.

Iran marked the start of their fourth World Cup finals with a 0-0 draw with Nigeria, but with Argentina and Bosnia to follow, Carlos Queiroz's outfit face a tough ask to make the last 16.

Despite the uneventful encounter in Curitiba, Queiroz could opt to retain the same team as he initially looks for his players to repeat the performance of Bosnia. who found a way to stifle Messi and his teammates for much of the game in Rio de Janeiro.

Recent form

Argentina: DWDWWW

Iran: LDDDWD

Possible starting lineups

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Rojo, Garay, Fernandez; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Higuain, Aguero, Messi
Iran: Haghighi; Montazeri, Pooladi, Hosseini, Sadeqi; Nekounam, Heydari, Teymourian, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochanneijhad

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Iran 0 - 0 Nigeria

Nigeria and Iran have been forced to settle for a point each in their Group F opener following a goalless draw in Curitiba.

It was a bright start from Nigeria as Victor Moses unleashed the first shot from outside the box in just the third minute to test Alireza Haghighi.

Nigeria continued to dominate the early stages, with Emmanuel Emenike a threat in the build-up to a great chance for Ogenyi Onazi, who fired wide after finding space inside the box.

Despite sitting back and soaking up the pressure for most of the first half, it was Iran who created the best opportunity just after the half hour mark when Reza Ghoochannejhad lost his marker to force Vincent Enyeama to push a header to safety.

Nigeria continued to be frustrated going forward either side of the break, with Iran's stubborn defence making it difficult for the African champions to find the space they needed in attacking areas.

Ghoochannejad looked lively when he managed to get involved further up the pitch, but he failed to trouble Enyeama for a second time when curling a speculative effort wide of the target.

Shola Ameobi was introduced to add another option in attack for Nigeria, and he almost made an impact with a clever pass to Emenike, who could only fire a poor effort over the crossbar.

A venture forward from the Iranian almost produced a goal in the 78th minute when a deep cross found Ashkan Dejagah at the back post, but the Fulham attacking midfielder mistimed his jump and could only direct a header wide.

Ameobi's presence in the box caused problems late on, with Mehdrad Pooladi twice being forced to make vital clearances as Iran secured the draw.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Iran Vs Nigeria

Iran and Nigeria get their respective World Cup campaigns up and running on Monday when the Group F rivals meet in Curitiba.

The Iranians failed to make it to the tournament four years ago, but they made sure that they reached Brazil this time around thanks to a dominant display in qualifying.

They will be expected to struggle in a group that contains Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria, but they can take some encouragement from the leadership of experienced coach Carlos Queiroz.

Meanwhile, Nigeria travel to Brazil full of confidence after romping through the African section of qualifying.

The Super Eagles were unbeaten in their group before they earned a 4-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia to eventually seal their place at the finals.

The match is likely to feature a number of players who ply their trade in British football, with Ashkan Dejagah, John Obi Mikel, Shola Ameobi, Efe Ambrose and Peter Odemwingie all expected to be involved.

Recent form

Iran: WLDDDW

Nigeria: LWDDDL

Possible starting lineups

Iran: Haghighi; Hosseini, Heydari, Montazeri, Pooladi; Sadeghi, Nekounam, Teymourian; Dejagah, Hajsafi; Ghoochannejhad

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Oboabona, Yobo, Oshaniwa; Moses, Onazi, Mikel, Azeez; Odemwingie, Ameobi

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