Argentina vs Nigeria
Argentina came into the game already having qualified for the next round. Nigeria could cement their place as well with a win or a draw in this match. They could also advance with a loss if Iran lose as well. The game started off with a bang . Just 3 minutes into the match Angel Di Maria sprinted down the left side and his shot bounced off the goalie then the post, the rebound fell to Messi who smashed the ball into the roof of the net (http://gfycat.com/BigheartedUnripeHog). Just a minute later a quick attack by Nigeria led to the tying goal. Musa on the left hand side of the box curled his shot to the back post, around the keeper and into the side netting (http://gfycat.com/WeeJollyKinkajou). The game continued on with most of the chances falling to Argentina. In first half stoppage time Messi made the Africans pay from a set piece. From about 25 yards out, and slightly off center, Messi placed his free kick just inside the right post and past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/CheerfulTornEasternnewt). 2 minutes into the second half Musa got another for Nigeria. He found a hole in the defense and received the ball at the top of the box. 1 on 1 with the keeper he got the goalie leaning the wrong way with a fake shot, and cooly slid the ball into the near post (http://gfycat.com/ImmaterialSpiffyFlounder). In the 50th minute Rojo rose up to meet a corner kick and headed the ball past the keeper to restore the Argentine's lead (http://gfycat.com/ScaredDevotedFiddlercrab). Argentina's win keeps them atop the group, and matches them up with Switzerland in the next game. The loss ended up not meaning anything for Nigeria because Iran lost to Bosnia. Nigeria advances as the 2nd place team in the group and they will play France in the next round.
Bosnia vs Iran
Bosnia came into the came already having been eliminated from the competition. Iran needed a win, combined with a Nigerian loss in order to advance. This game was always going to be tough for the Iranians. They hadn't scored a goal coming into this game, and they were coming up against a side that wanted to come away with at least 1 win from this World Cup. After just 23 minutes the Bosnians took the lead. Dzeko found just a little bit of space atop the box and he rifled a left footed shot past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/CloseIndelibleFeline). The first half concluded without any other major action. In the 59th minute a bad giveaway led to another goal by the Bosnians. An incisive pass found Pjanic who finished it with a shot to the far post (http://gfycat.com/LeanSoulfulBanteng). In the 82nd minute lazy defending by the Europeans led to an Iranian opener. A big ball over the defense found an Iranian player whose quick cross back across the goal was turned in by Ghoochannejhad (http://gfycat.com/SnarlingEvenKouprey). Bosnia put the game out of reach just a minute later. A quick counter down the right side led to a chance for Vrsajevic. His shot to the back post beat the keeper and bounced in off the woodwork (http://gfycat.com/RigidImmaculateIceblueredtopzebra). The Bosnians were going home with their first ever world cup win. Iran with the loss were knocked out of the tournament.
Switzerland vs Honduras
The Swiss needed a win in order to assure themselves a spot in the next round. Going up against a weak Honduras side, who had already been eliminated, Switzerland shouldn't have had any trouble, and they didn't. Shaqiri started off the game with a wonderstrike after just 6 minutes. He cut in from the right and his left footed shot to the far post found the top corner (http://gfycat.com/WhichKlutzyIndianpangolin). 25 minutes later the Swiss scored again. Shaqiri sprinted down the middle of the field, received the ball, and put his shot just inside the far post (http://gfycat.com/WateryWhimsicalDeinonychus). It was too easy for the Swiss against a Honduran side, who looked like they just wanted to go home. Shaqiri got his hat-trick in the 71st minute. He found space in the middle of the box and his 1 touch finish slid by the keeper (http://gfycat.com/AlertSophisticatedBettong). It is the second hat-trick this World Cup and it ensured the Swiss a spot in the next round where they will play Argentina.
France vs Ecuador
France needed just a point to guarantee themselves the top spot in group E. Ecuador needed a win to give themselves a chance, but it wouldn't for sure put them through. The match had a lot of shots but neither team could find a breakthrough. Things took a turn for the worse for Ecuador, when Antonio Valencia was shown a red card for stomping on the leg of a French player (https://vine.co/v/MtDEW5tB7Qx). After the red card Ecuador retreated into a shell. The French came at them but never were able to manufacture a goal. The 0-0 result knocked out Ecuador and kept France atop group E. France will play Nigeria in their round of 16 game.
Group E Final Standing
Group F Final Standings
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