Argentina took on Iran in a match they were expected to easily win. With Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuan back in the fray the Argentines had one of the strongest attacks in the tournament. Iran was hoping to get a famous result from the match having drawn their first match with Nigeria.
It was the Argentines who had the first chance of the match with Higuan testing the Iranians defense but Iran’s keeper was quick of his line to block the Argentine’s effort. Iran’s keeper was on hand to deny Sergio Aguero with a fine diving save to keep out his curling effort.
The Iranians showed great commitment and resilience in keeping the Argentines at bay. They also had chances of their own the best of which came in the dying minutes of the first half from a corner that was headed narrowly wide.
Pablo Zabaleta almost scored in the first minutes of the second half but it was Iran that looked more threatening especially on the counter. They could have taken the lead but their striker headed the ball straight at Argentina’s keeper.
There was controversy in the 54th minute after Zabaleta appeared to have brought down an Iranian player in the box with replays showing that Iran was denied an obvious penalty.
This proved costly as despite the Iranians fighting for a famous draw Lionel Messi struck in the dying minutes of the game to give his team the win with bended shot from the edge of the area.
The victory assured Argentina a place in the next round with Iran now having to beat Bosnia in their final match.
The second match of the day was the highly anticipated clash between European and African power houses, Germany and Ghana.
On paper the Germans were expected to easily win this game but having lost their first match against USA the Ghanaians had all to play for in the game.
Ghana fielded three changes from the team that lost to USA and were quick off the block with Gyan firing his effort over the crossbar in the seventh minute. Neuer was forced to make a fine save after Christian Atsu hit a shot from 25 yards.
The African tema seemed to be overflowing with confidence and continued to have the better chances of the first half. Neuer was forced to make another save before the half time break after Muntari made one of his trademark long yard shots.
From the restart, it was the Germans who came out quickest and took the lead six minutes after with Goetze nodding in Thomas Muller’s cross.
The Ghanaians knew that a defeat would knock them out of the tournament and put more impetus into attack. This was rewarded three minutes after they had conceded the goal with Ayew glancing in from a cross to bring his team level.
Nine minutes later the Ghanaians took the lead. Muntari stole the ball from Philip Lahm and put Gyan in goal with a perfectly weighted pass. The Ghanaian striker made no mistake with his shot to find the back of the net and become joint top African goal scorer in the world cup games, sharing the spot with African legend Roger Milla.
It should have been three goals as the Ghanaians caught the Germans on the break but Jordan Ayew failed to pass the ball and his tame effort was easily saved by the German goalkeeper.
Ghana looked on course for a famous victory but it was another world cup legend that would score to draw Germany level as Klose tapped in the equal Ronaldo’s (the real one) record of 15 goals at the world cup.
The game will be remembered as one of the most entertaining contests in the 2014 world cup with Ghana now hoping that Portugal can beat USA and keep their hopes of progression alive.
Nigeria took on Bosnia in the last match of the day. The game was equally important for both side with Bosnia having lost their opening match to Argentina and Nigeria drawn theirs with Iran.
Nigeria produced plenty of chances on goal and should have taken the lead in the seventh minute but Odemiwingie’s freekick was deflected narrowly wide off the goal. Begovic was also on hand to deny the Africans the first goal producing a fine save in the 14th minute.
Bosnia should have had the lead when Dzeko put the ball into the back of the net but the assistant referee incorrectly judged him to be off side. He was on hand to force a fine save from Nigeria’s Enyeama with a shot from inside the area.
Nigeria took the lead in controversial fashion as the Bosnians felt they had a foul in the lead up to the goal but the referee allowed Odemwingie’s effort to stand. The teams went into the break with Nigeria in the driver’s seat.
The second half saw Bosnia have several chances on goal but they could not find the equalizer and the Nigerians held on to the win. The African now need Iran to lose or draw their final match against Bosnia to make to the next round.