CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — Nigeria and Iran delivered the first draw of the World Cup on Monday as they ground out a scrappy 0-0 stalemate in their opening match in Group F.
The draw at the Arena da Baixada in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba followed 12 mostly high scoring and attacking games.
After a first half in which Nigeria failed to capitalize on its dominance, chances were few and far between in the second.
In the early passages of play, Nigeria had shown menace, with much of its attacking thrust coming down the left with Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses combining to cause problems for the defensively-minded Iran side.
Nigeria came closest to scoring in the seventh minute when an Ahmed Musa goal was disallowed after John Obi Mikel was adjudged to have fouled Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi at a corner.
Group F Standings
Wins
Losses
Draws
Goals For
Goals Against
Points
Argentina
1
0
0
2
1
3
Iran
0
0
1
0
0
1
Nigeria
0
0
1
0
0
1
Bosnia-Herzegovina
0
1
0
1
2
0
Standings and Results
Sunday, June 15 – Argentina 2, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 at Rio de Janeiro
Monday, June 16 – Iran 0, Nigeria 0 at Curitiba
Saturday, June 21 – Noon: Argentina vs Iran at Belo Horizonte
Saturday, June 21 – Noon: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Nigeria at Cuiaba
Wednesday, June 25 – Noon: Argentina vs Nigeria at Porto Alegre
Wednesday June 25 – Noon: Bosni-Herzegovina vs Iran at Salvador
