June 21 – Africans play for survival and continental pride while the battle of the Boatengs sets up a family feud. Meanwhile, expect Messi to march on in Belo
Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzogovina
Newcomers Bosnia and Herzegovina will aim to bounce back from their opening defeat to Argentina when they nevertheless made life difficult for Alejandro Sabella’s men.
Although this will be the first meeting between the nations history weighs against Nigeria, who have not won any of their last nine World Cup matches. But form rather than FIFA ranking suggests they should reverse that record and potentially eliminate Bosnia from the competition.
African teams have generally performed woefully in Brazil and Nigeria will be keen to reverse that trend. Their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 were handed a blow with defender Godfrey Oboabona ruled out with an ankle injury, while Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa and Reuben Gabriel are all doubts.
Head to head
Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina have never played each other before.
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Nigeria: Rank: 44 Points: 640
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Rank: 21 Points: 873
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Nigeria
First in CAF Group F with 12 points (P6 W3 D3 L0 GF7 GA3)
Play-off v Ethiopia (First in CAF Group B): Ethiopia 1 – 2 Nigeria, Nigeria 2 – 0 Ethiopia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
First in UEFA Group G with 25 points (P10 W8 D1 L1 GF30 GA6)
Nigeria’s record against European sides at the World Cup is W4 D1 L4
Nigeria have failed to win any of their last 9 World Cup games (W0 D3 L6)
Vedad Ibisevic’s goal against Argentina was Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first ever World Cup goal.
Argentina vs Iran
Argentina can guarantee their passage into the knockout stages of the World Cup with victory in Belo Horizonte.
Lionel Messi was the inspiration behind Argentina’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina but it is hard to see Iran cause as many problems for one of the tournament favourites, even though they got a draw from their opening game and are the top-ranked Asia side here with a defense that could be hard to break down.
Head to Head games
22/03/77 Argentina v Iran 1-1 (4-1) (75th Anniversary Real)
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Argentina: Rank: 5 Points: 1175
Iran: Rank: 43 Points: 641
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Argentina
First in CONMEBOL Group with 32 points (P16 W9 D5 L2 GF35 GA15)
Iran
First in AFC Group A with 16 points (P8 W5 D1 L2 GF8 GA2)
This is Argentina and Iran’s first World Cup match.
Argentina have won 10 and lost just 1 of their last 13 World Cup group matches
Argentina have won 5 of their last 6 World Cup games, (they lost 4-0 against Germany in 2010)
Iran’s only previous World Cup game against a South American side was a 4-1 loss to Peru in 1978.
Iran’s only World Cup win was 2-1 win against the USA in 1998. (W1 D3 L6)
Germany vs Ghana
Germany repeated their feat from four years ago by opening the World Cup with a 4-0 win but will be wary of slipping up against Ghana – the team they edged 1-0 in their third game in South Africa to reach the knockout round.
Ghana can’t afford another defeat after going down 2-1 to the United States,
The Germans could be without Mats Hummels whilst the match brings together again the Boateng half-brothers, Jerome, a Germany defender, and Kevin-Prince, a forward for Ghana.
Head to Head games
14/04/93 Germany v Ghana 6-1 (International)
23/06/10 Ghana v Germany 0-1 (World Cup)
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Germany: Rank: 2 Points: 1300
Ghana: Rank: 37 Points: 704
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Germany
First in UEFA Group C with 28 points (P10 W9 D1 L0 GF36 GA10)
Ghana
First in CAF Group D with 15 points (P6 W5 D0 L1 GF18 GA3)
Play-off v Egypt (First in CAF Group G): Ghana 6 – 1 Egypt, Egypt 2 – 1 Ghana
Germany’s only loss against a side from Africa in the World Cup was against Algeria in 1982. (W4 D1 L1)
Germany has only lost one of their last 19 games in the group stages of the World Cup, (against Serbia in 2010).
Ghana have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 5 World Cup games
Miroslav Klose currently has 14 World Cup goals – only the Brazilian Ronaldo has more (15).
Thomas Müller has scored 8 goals in 7 World Cup games (7 in his last 4).