CURITIBA, Brazil – 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 followed 12 mostly high-scoring and attacking games.
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After a first half in which Nigeria failed to capitalize on its dominance, the chances were few and far between in the second.
Nigeria came closest to breaking the deadlock 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.
Iran pressed more as the game wore on and nearly scored in the 34th when a Reza Ghoochannejhad header required a sharp save from Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
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