After underwhelming early performances, traditional Latin American top dogs Argentina and reigning African champions Nigeria have something to prove when they meet in their final World Cup Group F match this evening.
Argentina were among the favourites going in to the tournament but despite a much-vaunted front four, they have yet to come alive, with the exception of some moments of match-winning magic from Lionel Messi.
Nigeria have also laboured to convince as a team.
Nonetheless, Argentina sit atop Group F with six points thanks to their less-than-emphatic wins over Bosnia and Iran.
The Sky Blues have already qualified for the Round of 16 but will still want to finish first to ensure an easier opponent – in principle at least – in the next stage.
Nigeria have four points following a dull draw with Iran and a win over first-timers Bosnia. A draw would be enough to ensure qualification but a loss to Argentina could put them in trouble.
Iran, who surprised many with their tenacious, bold play against Argentina, could still seize second place if they beat Bosnia and rack up a better goal difference.
So, a game that could see as much anxiety as adventure is on the cards.
Messi’s sublime strike against Iran in stoppage time only highlighted the danger of Argentina relying on the Barcelona man too much. It wasn’t supposed to be like that.
He and his fellow strikers Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria form what should have been one of the most formidable attack forces in the tournament, but so far it has been rather blunt.
The defence has also looked shaky, with central defender Ezekiel Garay repeatedly caught off guard against Iran.
“We have a few causes for concern,” head coach Alejandro Sabella admitted after the close-shave against Iran.
Nigeria cannot afford to give anything away at the back but will need to hunt for goals if they are to be sure of qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998.
Playing in their fifth World Cup, their performance against Bosnia was an improvement on the Iran game, when they look bereft of ideas. But their defensive frailties were exposed on several occasions and that could prove fatal with a hungry wolf like Messi on the prowl.
Meanwhile, with a solitary 1998 World Cup win to their name, another for Iran against Bosnia today would alone be cause for big celebration, but with an improbable last 16 spot also up for grabs the party could really be one to remember.
Iran arrive in Salvador with just one point but a host of new fans thanks to a gutsy 0-0 draw with Nigeria and an excellent display against Argentina.
They face already-eliminated Bosnia at the Fonte Nova arena knowing a win, coupled with defeat for Nigeria against Argentina, could see them go through if goal difference goes their way.
A 1-0 win for Iran and 1-0 defeat for Nigeria would leave them level on both points and goal difference. In that rare scenario, the rules state the teams must be separated by goals scored in all matches, then points between them and goals between them.
Given Iran and Nigeria would have both scored one goal each in the group, that would not separate them so there would have to be a drawing of lots.
Key statistics
• Nigeria are playing in their fifth World Cup. Their best performances were in 1994 and 1998, when they reached the Round of 16.
• Argentina have won the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 1986.
• Iran’s 0-0 draw with Nigeria in their opening World Cup match in Brazil secured a first clean sheet since their debut in 1978.
Previous meetings
• Argentina and Nigeria have met six times previously, with Argentina winning four, Nigeria once and one match ending in a draw.
• Iran are unbeaten in five past meetings with Bosnia, notching four wins and a draw.
• The Bosnians were, however, 3-1 victors in Tehran in a match in 1993 which was not officially registered as the Bosnian Football Federation was not yet a member of FIFA.