Of the eight groups at the World Cup, Group ‘F’ can possibly end up presenting the most interesting scenario.
A first-ever coin-toss or the ‘drawing of lots’ to decide whether Nigeria or Iran progress through to the round-of-16.
That would happen if Iran were to beat the already-eliminated Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 and Nigeria lose 1-0 to the already-qualified Argentina in the final round of games on Wednesday.
That would mean Iran and Nigeria would finish on equal points, equal goal-difference, the same number of goals scored and there would be no separating them on the head-to-head record after they played a goalless draw in their opening game.
Since that match, Iran lost 1-0 to Argentina on Saturday. Nigeria, meanwhile, followed up that stalemate with a 1-0 win over debutants Bosnia who were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in their opener.
Then, either FIFA will decide who goes through via the flip of a coin or by drawing names out of a hat.
And FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said on Monday the lottery would be held at the Maracana Stadium 90 minutes after their games finish if that case were to arise.
No team has ever been eliminated from a World Cup by the drawing of lots but if results go the right way either Nigeria or Iran could consider themselves the tournament’s unluckiest side.
Lots have only been drawn once in tournament history — at the 1990 edition.
There, they were used to separate second and third place in a group when three sides went through in a 24-team event.
Republic of Ireland beat the Netherlands to second place but both advanced to the next stage.
On Wednesday, African champions Nigeria have the seemingly tougher task to avoid that fate as they look to stop Lionel Messi and company in Porto Alegre.
Messi has scored twice in two games, with his second being a sublime strike against Iran on Saturday.
Nigeria can progress with a draw — a result they have achieved just once in six meetings with Argentina, losing four of them.
But Peter Odemwingie, scorer of their goal against Bosnia, is quite optimistic about their chances.
“I saw a Brazilian on the street who told me he foresaw Nigeria playing the final against Brazil and I said to myself ‘why not’, going by the level of our players and the fact that they are yet to peak,” he said at a press conference on Sunday.
“But mark my words — we have a very resilient defence, a creative midfield and an attack force that can trouble any defence in the world. If we played to our potentials, we can go all the way.”
The match against Argentina could see veteran defender Joseph Yobo reach his 100th cap.
But he is more concerned with Nigeria’s progression rather than the honour.
“It is good news that I will reach that milestone but what is uppermost in my mind is for the team to win and for us to advance to the next stage,” the 33-year-old Yobo said after a training session on Monday.
“The rest will be a bonus.”
Iran need to do against Bosnia in Salvador what they haven’t done so far at this World Cup — score a goal.
Carlos Queiroz’s side have been criticized for their overly defensive approach in the draw against Nigeria.
But they were better in the game against Argentina where they showed plenty of will to break fast and attack dangerously.
“We proved that we defend always with our eyes pointed to the Argentine goal,” Queiroz said.
“My major concern is to keep players focused. And, they’ll need to convert those chances.”
Since gaining independence in 1992, Bosnia waited for more than two decades to appear at a World Cup but were eliminated from contention after just two games.
“It will be very tough because Iran will be extremely motivated as they have everything to play for while we are out of the tournament,” striker Vedad Ibisevic told reporters.
“We have played football long enough to know that we have to pick ourselves up and focus on the game.”
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