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                   Argentina, Nigeria Advance to Round of 16

   by VOA News

   Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2 as the World Cup in Brazil closes in on its
   final 16 teams, and those in Groups E and F fight for spots in the
   so-called knockout round.

   Lionel Messi scored twice to inspire Argentina to a thrilling 3-2 win
   over Nigeria on Wednesday which clinched top spot in World Cup Group F
   and sent an army of Sky Blue supporters home with smiles on their
   faces.

   ''The few Nigerian fans in the crowd also left happy because their team
   advanced to the knockout phase thanks to Bosnia's 3-1 win over Iran.
   The group finished with Argentina on nine points, Nigeria on four,
   Bosnia on three and Iran on one.

   In Group E, France is in first place with six points. Though it is not
   yet assured of a spot in the next round as it faces Ecuador in Rio de
   Janeiro, its goal differential is six higher than Ecuador and eight
   higher than Switzerland.

   It would take a big win by Ecuador, and then a blowout victory by
   Switzerland in its game against Honduras, to send France home.

   Pool play closes Thursday with Group G and Group H playing their final
   matches.

   Greece earned its first-ever spot in the second round on Tuesday, as
   Giorgios Samaras converted a penalty kick one minute into stoppage time
   to give Greece a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

   Colombia, which on Tuesday eliminated Japan, 4-1 in Cuiaba, finished
   first in Group C with nine points, followed by Greece with four, Ivory
   Coast with three and Japan with one.

   Uruguay also advanced to the round of 16 Tuesday by eliminating
   four-time champion Italy, 1-0.

   The game was marred by controversy, as television replays showed
   Uruguay's Luis Suarez appearing to bite Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in
   the shoulder. Football's governing body, FIFA, has opened disciplinary
   proceedings against Suarez, who has been suspended twice before for
   biting opposing players.

   In Tuesday's other Group D match, Costa Rica and England played to a
   scoreless draw in Belo Horizonte. Costa Rica had already clinched first
   place in the group after upsetting Uruguay and Italy.
   [1]Click here to check out our special World Cup site


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   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/groups-e-f-play-for-spots-in-world-cu
   ps-2nd-round/1944805.html

References

   1. http://football.voanews.com/
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/groups-e-f-play-for-spots-in-world-cups-2nd-round/1944805.html