Lionel Messi struck twice to continue his blistering start to the World Cup as Argentina edged out Nigeria 3-2 in Porto Alegre.
Argentina finished the group as expected on maximum points but the clash against the Africans was much tougher than most had anticipated.
Messi, who has now scored four goals in three games in Brazil, took just three minutes to get off the mark when he smashed home the rebound after Angel Di Maria's shot had cannoned back off a post.
Nigeria hit back almost instantly when Ahmed Musa skipped inside his marker before curling a wonderful effort beyond Sergio Romero in the Argentina goal.
Remarkably, this was the first time ever in a World Cup that both sides had scored inside the opening five minutes. Maybe it wasn't going to be the easy game many had expected it to be for Argentina.
But with Messi in their side anything can happen. The Barcelona forward is regarded as one of the world's greatest players at club level, although some have previously criticised how he had failed to transfer this onto the international stage. Not anymore! This is fast becoming Messi's tournament and he is really enjoying life at this summer's tournament. So it was no surprise to see him put Argentina back in front with a delightful free-kick just before the break.
Things were going in Nigeria's favour in the other match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran but they still had to make sure they did their own job. The Africans refused to give up and were back on level terms within two minutes of the restart. Musa doubled his tally when he coolly slotted home from close range following a neat one-two with Emmanuel Emenike. But Argentina ensured they would end the group stages top of Group F and on maximum points after Marcos Rojo saw the ball go in off his knee just three minutes later.
Argentina held on for the win to set up a round of 16 clash with Switzerland, while Nigeria will now face 1998 champions France.
Nigeria's main rivals for the runners-up spot in Group F were Iran, but they were eliminated and ended bottom of the group following a 3-1 defeat by World Cup debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Edin Dzeko set Bosnia-Herzegovina on their way to their first ever World Cup victory when he rifled in a long-range effort after 23 minutes. Miralem Pjanic beat the offside trap to score from close range and double his side's advantage shortly before the hour mark.
Reza Ghoochannejad tapped in to set up a nervy finish with just eight minutes remaining, but Iran's World Cup dream was over when Bosnia-Herzegovina full-back Avdija Vrsajevic scored his first international goal moments later as both sides exited the competition.
Xherdan Shaqiri was the star of the show in Group E as his stunning hat-trick saw Switzerland thump bottom-of-the-table Honduras 3-0 and progress into the knockout stages. The Bayern Munich man scored the pick of his three goals when he unleashed an unstoppable curling shot from outside the box after just six minutes.
Shaqiri doubled his advantage shortly after the half hour mark when poor defending from Honduras allowed Josip Drmic to square the ball for him to calmly slot beyond Noel Valladares.
Honduras almost reduced the deficit but a goal-line clearance from Ricardo Rodriguez and a turned down penalty appeal kept Switzerland in control.
Shaqiri completed his treble, and the World Cup's 50th hat-trick, after 71 minutes. Rodriguez's long ball found Drmic, who beat his man before setting up Shaqiri to fire home.
Switzerland were still sweating on the result of the other match in their group as if Ecuador were to beat France they would be going home. But, luckily for Ottmar Hitzfeld's men, Ecuador could only manage a goalless draw against Les Bleus.
Ecuador may feel slightly hard done by as France's Mamadou Sakho stayed on the field unpunished despite appearing to elbow Oswaldo Minda. Ecuador's luck went from bad to worse when their captain Antonio Valencia was dismissed for a clumsy challenge on Lucas Digne in the early stages of the second half.
Both goalkeepers had to be alert to keep the scores goalless as Ecuador were sent crashing out of the tournament.
France finished as Group E winners to set up a round of 16 tie against Nigeria, while Switzerland will be huge underdogs when they face one of the tournament favourites Argentina. It is now up to Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld to find a way of stopping Lionel Messi from destroying his side. Do that and they might, just might, stand a chance but it is a very tough ask. But in a World Cup where it is becoming very dangerous to write any team off, who knows what might happen.
Let the drama continue!
Come on the underdogs!
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