Nigeria-Iran draws their FIFA Group F opener (Update:Nigeria)

Nigeria's match against Iran in their Group F World Cup opener ended in a draw at Brazil's Baixada Arena.

Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi had warned Sunday that African side were as good as any in Brazil and could win the tournament.

After the match ended in a draw, Keshi said his side dominated in the game against Iran, but suffered from nervousness and anxiety in front of the goal, Sport24 reported.

Keshi said that Nigeria wants to score, and it is not coming, adding that they just have to calm everybody down and take it from there.

The large Brazilian crowd of 39,000 whistled and booed both teams off the field after a first half that was scoreless.

Iran packed their defence as expected and Nigeria squandered their chances of a victory as they failed to shoot the ball past the goalkeeper.

Nigeria had scored a goal after seven minutes in a goalmouth scramble but Ecuadorean referee Carlos Vera ruled it out for a push on goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.

Iran will now face group favourites Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Saturday and coach Carlos Queiroz said that the most important thing is that everything is open for his side.