World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday 3, Day 3

Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina edge past Nigeria in a five-goal thriller. Xherdan Shaqiri’s three-goal salvo fires Switzerland into the final 16, Miralem Pjanic bags a goal and assist as Bosnia and Herzegovina get the better of Iran, while France end as Group E winners after a goalless draw against Ecuador:

Messi Brace Inspires Argentina
Alejandro Sabella named an unchanged side for yesterday’s clash with Nigeria. The Argentina boss rolled out a 4-3-3 formation once again, with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero leading the line and the Barcelona man was amongst the goals for the third game in succession in a 3-2 triumph. Having fired late winners over Bosnia and Iran, Messi netted early against the Africans, scoring within three minutes before adding a second just prior to the break, though his Fantasy owners were denied more returns after he was subbed off just after the hour mark.

Sabella has worries over Aguero, though; the City man was forced off in the first-half and, given his previous concerns with injury, will be closely monitored prior to the upcoming clash with Switzerland. Elsewhere for Argentina, left-back Marcos Rojo netted the third, atoning for some mixed defensive displays that have seen his side muster just a single clean sheet over the group stages.

Nigeria Through Despite Defeat
Stephen Keshi kept faith in the XI that started the 1-0 win over Bosnia but, having scored just a single goal over their previous two matches, little was expected of Nigeria – a double from left winger Ahmed Musa, however, allied with a sparkling display from Vincent Enyeama between the sticks, kept the scoreline respectable. Argentina had a very impressive 13 attempts on target but Enyeama’s heroics in goal defied Messi and co time and again – he’ll need to be at his best once again in the next game, as Keshi’s side square up to France for a place in the quarter-finals.

In the FIFA McDonalds game, two of the Nigeria back-four impressed for recovered balls – right-back Efe Ambrose eight led the way with eight, while centre-half Kenneth Omeruo produced six. For Argentina, the top performers were Javier Mascherano (10), Federico Fernandez (nine), Marcos Rojo (eight), Fernando Gago (six), Ezequiel Garay (five).

Bosnia Bow Out With a Win
Safet Susic finally rolled out the 4-3-1-2 formation which had proven so successful during qualifying last night. The Bosnia boss had previously utilised a lone forward system in the first two group games and saw his side fall to defeat but, after making three changes, handed Miralem Pjanic the role in “the hole” behind front two Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic for the clash against Iran. Susic’s decision paid off handsomely as Pjanic delivered a goal and assist in his finest performance of the tournament, whilst Dzeko also opened his account, netting along with right-back Avdija Vrsajevic as Bosnia delivered the win that ended their opponents’ chances of making the last 16.

Iran Finally Find the Net
Carlos Quieroz named an unchanged line-up after his side limited Argentina to a single goal in Matchday 2. Goals from Dzeko and Pjanic within the hour mark meant Iran needed to score in order to stand a chance but bearing in mind they went into yesterday’s game as the only side yet to find the net at Brazil 2014, the chances looked slim. A late consolation from Reza Ghoochannejhad – courtesy of an assist from Javad Nekounam – meant that Quieroz’ troops were at least spared the ignominy of a goal-less campaign, despite turning in their least resilient display of the campaign.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Emir Spahic led the way for recovered balls for the Bosnians. The centre-half managed 10, with fellow defenders Sead Kolasinac (nine) and Tony Sunjic (six) also impressing, whilst central midfielder Muhamed Besic equalled Sunjic’s six. For Iran, full-backs Pejman Montazeri produced nine and seven recovered balls, while central midfield pair Andranik Teymourian and Javad Nekounam registered eight and five respectively.

Shaqiri Treble Sends Swiss Through
With his side hoping a win against Honduras would be enough to progress, Ottmar Hitzfeld made two changes from the side that were beaten 5-2 by France – Fabian Schar came in for the injured Steve Von Bergen in the heart of defence, whilst Josip Drmic replaced Haris Seferovic as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Both switches paid off, as Schar helped the Swiss to a first clean sheet of the campaign and Drmic provided a pair of assists in an emphatic 3-0 win.

The star of the night, however, was Bayern’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who hit a hat-trick from the role in “the hole” behind Drmic to finally reward his patient Fantasy owners, after a couple of below-par displays. Despite turning in their best performance of the tournament, a game against Argentina in the first round of the knockout stages is likely to end most Fantasy managers’ interest in Hitzfeld’s main men.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Stephane Lichtsteiner led the way for recovered balls amongst the Swiss – his total of seven was just ahead of Gorkan Inler (six), Valon Behrami and Ricardo Rodriguez (five apiece). Maynor Figueroa was top for Honduras with 10, with Jorge Claros (seven), Juan Carlos Garcia and Brayan Beckeles (both five) also impressing.

Dominguez Keeps France at Bay
After clinching qualification in Matchday 2, Didier Deschamps rang the changes for last night’s clash against Ecuador. Mamadou Sakho was the only defender to keep his place, as Mathieu Debuchy, Rafael Varane and Patrice Evra dropped out for Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny and Lucas Digne, while Paul Pogba, Morgan Schneiderlin and Antoine Griezmann came in for Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Valbuena and Olivier Giroud further up the pitch.

Whilst the French registered a second clean sheet of the tournament to reward owners of Hugo Lloris and Mamadou Sakho, they were unable to replicate their recent goal glut thanks mainly to Alexander Dominguez’ display between the posts for Ecuador. In a dominant second-half display (made easier by Antonio Valencia’s dismissal) Deschamps’ side managed 69% possession, had 21 attempts on goal and nine efforts on target but were simply unable to find a way past the inspired Dominguez. The result ensured France finished top of Group E, though, and with a clash against Nigeria up next, Karim Benzema is likely to be heavily-backed by Fantasy managers ahead of the weekend deadline.

In the FIFA McDonalds game, Frickson Erazo (eight), Walter Ayovi (seven) and Oswaldo Minda (six) were Ecuador’s top performers for recovered balls. Morgan Schneiderlin led the way for France with nine, with Lucas Digne and Laurent Koscielny (both seven), Mamadou Sakho (six) and Blaise Matuidi (five) also impressing.