BOSNIA 3-1 IRAN

Bosnia-Herzegovina recorded their first FIFA World Cup win with a 3-1 triumph over Iran that also saw their opponents exit the tournament.

With their fate already sealed after defeats to Argentina and Nigeria, Bosnia played with freedom and made history as goals from Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajevic saw them collect their first points at the showpiece.

The result also ended Iran's stay in Brazil, as they finished last in Group F with just one point from three matches.

Carlos Queiroz's side needed to beat Bosnia and hope Argentina defeated Nigeria, but saw their slim chances of progression end in Salvador on Wednesday.

Dzeko broke the deadlock midway through the first half with a well-placed low strike from 25 yards, and Pjanic doubled their lead a minute before the hour.

Reza Ghoochannejad gave Iran a lifeline with eight minutes left, tapping in from close range, but Vrsajevic responded within 60 seconds for Bosnia, scoring an excellent angled finish.

The result means Nigeria – who were beaten 3-2 by Argentina – progress to the last 16 with Alejandro Sabella's side.

Bosnia coach Safet Susic rang the changes following their defeat to Nigeria, making five, as Vedad Ibisevic lined up alongside Dzeko in attack, while, in stark contrast, Iran were unchanged after their impressive, albeit fruitless, performance against Argentina.

Bosnia – who had been on the front foot since kick-off – had their pressure rewarded in the 23rd minute when Dzeko, who proved an early threat, broke his World Cup duck.

The Manchester City forward won the ball 35 yards from goal and charged upfield, evading two challenges before firing a low left-footed strike past Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, into the inside of the post, and in.

Iran were denied an immediate response when Masoud Shojaei's deflected effort from just inside the penalty area hit the crossbar after good work from Ashkan Dejagah on the right.

Ghoochannejad was next to go close for a rejuvenated Iran, but was denied by Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the 31st minute, while after the break, Dejagah completely missed the ball when presented with a good chance to equalise.

And Pjanic made Iran pay with 59 minutes played, as he netted a composed finish from seven yards after Tino Susic found him with a perfect pass.

Iran gave Bosnia a scare though when, having failed to net in their first two games, they finally got themselves on the scoresheet.

Ghoochannejad was the man responsible, applying the finishing touch to Javad Nekounam's dangerous low cross.

It mattered little, though, as Bosnia sealed their victory when Vrsajevic fired in off the post to end a swift counter-attack.

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NIGERIA 2-3 ARGENTINA

Lionel Messi's sublime double sent Nigeria to a 3-2 loss against Argentina, but the Africans still progressed to the FIFA World Cup last 16.

Barcelona superstar Messi was at his brilliant best at Estadio Beira-Rio on Wednesday, following up a stunning half-volley with a superb free-kick.

His efforts, though, were twice cancelled out by the equally impressive Ahmed Musa as Nigeria put in a spirited display.

They eventually succumbed as Marcos Rojo's unorthodox finish five minutes after half-time ensured Argentina went through with a maximum haul of nine points.

While Nigeria entered their final Group F fixture needing a draw to guarantee their progression, Bosnia-Herzegovina's 3-1 triumph over Iran meant that they qualified anyway.

The Africa Cup of Nations champions look likely to face France in the last 16, with Argentina on course to tackle Switzerland or Ecuador - with Group E set to be concluded later on Wednesday.

Any hopes Nigeria had of getting the point they required were dented immediately as Messi fired the two-time champions ahead.

Angel Di Maria was instrumental, charging into the area before unleashing a fierce strike that hit the post, struck the back of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and bounced back onto the woodwork.

Unfortunately for the African side, as the ball ricocheted back into the area, Messi was on hand to power home a sublime half-volley.

But Nigeria were not willing to be the supporting act for too long and levelled a minute later, Musa picking up the ball on the left flank before cutting inside and expertly bending a curling effort beyond Sergio Romero.

Argentina required a response, and they almost found one soon afterwards when Gonzalo Higuain poked a shot wide after getting on the end of Messi's throughball.

It was Di Maria who was causing the greatest threat, his low 25-yard strike forcing a good save from Enyeama.

Yet Messi assumed centre stage again to re-establish his side's lead.

Having forced a fine save from Enyeama with a curling set-piece, he left the Nigeria goalkeeper stranded from exactly the same position in first-half injury time after the mercurial Barcelona man had been brought down by Kenneth Omeruo.

Far from downhearted, Nigeria found an almost immediate riposte after the interval as Musa ran into a huge gap between the Argentina centre-backs and slotted past Romero, having been picked out by Emmanuel Emenike.

However, as the momentum swung once more, Argentina moved in front for the third time just three minutes later, Rojo kneeing Ezequiel Lavezzi's corner home in unorthodox fashion.

Suddenly attacking with renewed verve, Alejandro Sabella's men began to look increasingly threatening - with Enyeama having to be on high alert to keep out a Higuain effort before Messi slid a shot wide.

The Argentina captain was withdrawn in the 63rd minute, to a rapturous ovation from the crowd.

Sabella's side barely missed a beat in his absence, although some poor finishing - summed up by Di Maria hitting straight at the goalkeeper towards the end - ultimately meant that they did not add to their tally.

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ENGLAND 0-0 COSTA RICA

Costa Rica secured top spot in FIFA World Cup Group D courtesy of a drab 0-0 draw with already-eliminated England on Tuesday.

Jorge Luis Pinto's team thrilled with skill and ambition in shock wins over Uruguay and Italy that secured their passage to the last 16.

The pre-tournament outsiders found themselves in the unexpected position of being able to leave plenty in the tank in Belo Horizonte - an admirable achievement that did not make for an engaging spectacle.

Celso Borges had a first-half free-kick touched against the crossbar, while the bulk of England's chances fell to Daniel Sturridge - one of only two survivors from the line-up that lost the opening two matches.

The Liverpool striker found the prolific streak he displayed in the Premier League last season to have deserted him, and Roy Hodgson's team could take little from the contest aside from avoiding the ignominy of losing all three World Cup round-robin games for the first time in their history.

Uruguay's 1-0 win in a similarly scrappy encounter against Italy in Natal ensured that Group D claimed the scalps of two European teams.

Joel Campbell saw a speculative second-minute effort deflect wide and Costa Rica's control of the opening exchanges underlined the gulf in confidence between the two teams.

The 12th minute brought England's first sight of goal, Sturridge whipping a shot narrowly wide of the target following bright build-up play by Jack Wilshere.

A 15th-minute Mexican wave rippling through the Estadio Mineirao said much for the lack of intensity in a game between one side already through to the round of 16 and another with their bags packed, before Sturridge tried his luck from distance once more.

Ben Foster was the first goalkeeper called into action when he superbly tipped Borges’ free-kick behind via his crossbar.

Sturridge had a 27th-minute penalty claim rejected, going to ground under close attention from Oscar Duarte, and another half-chance fell the striker’s way, but he could not keep his header down after Phil Jones nodded Ross Barkley's corner back across goal.

Barkley fashioned space for himself in the 42nd minute, but his subsequent slice wide underscored a half desperately lacking in quality.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas was out quickly to thwart Sturridge as Luke Shaw’s deflected 49th-minute shot looped into his path.

Shaw was fortunate not to join Adam Lallana and Barkley in the book amid a scrappy period as the hour approached, while Giancarlo Gonzalez was deservedly cautioned for scything through the latter.

Christian Bolanos looked to do something a touch more constructive when he stung Foster's palms from 20 yards, while Sturridge exchanged passes with Wilshere and wasted his clearest opportunity of the match in the 65th minute.

A flurry of late substitutions did not increase the entertainment factor as Costa Rica looked forward to a knockout clash against the runner-up in Group C - where Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan all retain ambitions of following likely winners Colombia into the knockout stages later on Tuesday.

For England, who belatedly extended Navas when substitute Wayne Rooney sent a delicate 80th-minute chip goalwards, a grimly familiar period of reflection and attempted renewal awaits.

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ITALY 0-1 URUGUAY

Luis Suarez was at the centre of further controversy as Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 to progress from Group D at the FIFA World Cup.

The Liverpool forward appeared to bite the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini towards the end of Tuesday's match in Natal.

Diego Godin subsequently bundled in a corner for the game's only goal, sending Uruguay through to the last 16 at Italy's expense.

Yet Suarez's apparent indiscipline is likely to grab the headlines, with the 27-year-old having been involved in biting incidents before at both Liverpool and Ajax.

Italy, who needed only a point to qualify alongside Costa Rica, were hampered by the 59th-minute dismissal of Claudio Marchisio, for a high tackle on Egidio Arevalo.

They will now be left to rue another first-round exit at the World Cup, their second in succession, while Uruguay await the winner of Group C.

It remains to be seen whether Suarez, who was involved in a controversial moment at the last World Cup when he handled on the line to deny Ghana a late goal in Uruguay's quarter-final win, will receive punishment for his tangle with Chiellini, with FIFA able to examine footage should they feel disciplinary action is warranted.

Prior to the late drama, Italy looked set to do enough to shut out their opponents as they soaked up pressure with relative comfort.

The match began with a host of full-blooded challenges, perhaps unsurprisingly given the prize at stake.

Mario Balotelli will have had Italy worried when he began to limp after a heavy challenge, while Suarez and Chiellini were also on the receiving end of physical collisions in a feisty opening.

The crowd had to wait until the 12th minute to see an effort on target, when Andrea Pirlo fired a dipping free-kick that Fernando Muslera needed to tip over, and the remainder of the opening half-hour passed by with little action of note.

Gianluigi Buffon was then called on to deny Suarez and Christian Lodeiro from close range following intricate build-up play, while Martin Caceres struck an audacious effort way wide from distance.

Cavani's appeal for a penalty was waved away following a tangle with Leonardo Bonucci before Cristian Rodriguez wasted a golden opportunity for Uruguay.

Suarez clipped a ball in to the Atletico Madrid man, who skewed an effort wide when through on goal.

Marchisio was handed a straight red shortly after and Suarez was quick to test the 10 men of Italy - bursting through the defence only to be denied by Buffon.

If that showed the Liverpool man's talent on the ball, his clash with Chiellini seemingly offered an insight into the less savoury side of Suarez's will to win.

The Juve defender was eager to show referee Marco Rodriguez his shoulder and Italian tempers flared up considerably after Godin headed in the winner.

Cesare Prandelli's side were unable to find an equaliser and questions over the actions of Suarez appear set to dominate the aftermath of Italy's elimination

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JAPAN 1-4 COLOMBIA

Colombia beat Japan 4-1 in Cuiaba on Tuesday to seal top spot in Group C and send their opponents crashing out of the FIFA World Cup.

Jose Pekerman's side, so impressive in securing wins over Greece and Ivory Coast earlier in the tournament, were already assured of qualification and knew a draw would be enough to secure their passage as group winners.

Japan, meanwhile, needed to win and hope the result between Ivory Coast and Greece went their way in order to progress.

The South Americans hit the front shortly after the quarter-hour mark, Juan Cuadrado smashing home a penalty after Yasuyuki Konno had fouled Adrian Ramos.

Japan equalised on the stroke of half-time, Shinji Okazaki squeezing a header inside the near post to raise hopes of qualifying.

Yet Colombia then pulled clear in the second half, Jackson Martinez scoring twice following assists from half-time substitute James Rodriguez, who added a delightful late fourth.

Colombia will now take on Uruguay in the second round, while Japan exit the tournament having finished bottom of their group.

Japan made the stronger start as Colombia struggled to find their feet having made eight changes from their victory over Ivory Coast.

However, it was the South Americans who went in front after 17 minutes, following their first real foray forward.

Konno needlessly brought down Ramos inside the area, and Cuadrado dispatched the spot-kick, prompting further choreographed celebrations from the Colombians.

Japan responded well, Shinji Kagawa creating space on the edge of the box before firing in a low shot which was tipped behind by David Ospina.

Keisuke Honda was the next man to go close, sending a dipping free-kick narrowly wide of the right-hand post in the 33rd minute.

Colombia ought to have doubled their lead three minutes before the interval, Martinez firing wide of the target from 14 yards after being picked out by Ramos.

They were made to rue that miss soon afterwards, Okazaki flicking home Honda's right-wing cross with the final touch of the half.

Half-time substitute Carlos Carbonero wasted a golden chance to restore Colombia's advantage in the 54th minute, stabbing the ball over the crossbar after a devilish ball in from fellow replacement Rodriguez.

It mattered little as Martinez made it 2-1 a minute later, taking a touch and firing low beyond Eiji Kawashima after a nicely-weighted pass from Rodriguez inside the area.

Eder Alvarez Balanta was perhaps lucky to escape punishment after his forearm struck the face of Okazaki in the corner, drawing blood from the nose of the Japan goalscorer.

Honda continued to pose a threat from set-pieces, bringing a save out of Ospina with a rasping free-kick in the 64th minute.

Yoshito Okubo went close a minute later, meeting Atsuto Uchida's low cross at pace only to see his close-range effort fly over the bar.

Martinez doubled his tally eight minutes from time with a cool finish, and moments later Kagawa summed up a disappointing campaign for the Japanese by firing wide with just Ospina to beat from close range.

There was a notable moment five minutes before the end, as 43-year-old goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon - retiring after the tournament - was brought on in place of Ospina to become the oldest player in World Cup history.

Rodriguez, one of the players of the tournament so far, showed his class in the 90th minute to round off the scoring, turning Maya Yoshida inside out and dinking an impudent finish over Kawashima, before Mondragon made an injury-time save to deny Yoichiro Kakitani.

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BRAZIL 2014 HAIRCUTS

It has been a world cup of upsets, surprises and goals. But we have seen some funny, weird and totally bizzare haircuts doned by superstars. Here are a few we have spotted even with our eyes wide shut.

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FERDINAND AGREE QPR DEAL

Rio Ferdinand has agreed a deal to sign for newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.

The 35-year-old has been persuaded to take a massive drop in wages after hearing Harry Redknapp’s plans for how he can help the London club on their return to the Premier League.

The deal is expected to be confirmed in the next 24 hours and comes as a huge boost for QPR after winning promotion through the play-offs.

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