Iran and Nigeria played out a dull 0-0 draw in their World Cup Group F clash in the Brazilan city of Curitiba on Monday.
In the end, there proved to be no way through for either side.
Nigeria boasted 70% possession over the course of the 90 minutes but only fashioned one shot more than the Iranians.
Reza Ghoochannejadˈs header- well saved by Vincent Enyeama - and Ahmed Musaˈs free-kick were the best chances of the first period while after the break, substitute Shola Ameobi was twice thwarted by Iran defender Mehrdad Poolad.
Victor Moses had Nigeriaˈs first chance in the third minute when he hit a poor shot at the Iranian keeper Reza Haghighi.
Haghighi looked uncomfortable when pressured by the Nigerian front men and was lucky to escape in the seventh minute after flapping at a corner.
The ball dropped to Kenneth Omeruo, who poked the ball in the net - but the referee had already blown for a foul on the keeper by John Obi Mikel.
Emmanuel Emenike was having some success down the Nigerian left, with Iranian right-back Pejman Montazeri struggling to contain the speed of the Fenerbahce striker.
Ahmed Musa tried to cut a clever free-kick inside Haghighiˈs left-hand post from a long-range free-kick in the 31st minute but the Nigeriansˈ lack of cutting edge began to instill the Iranians with confidence.
Iranˈs big chance came at the 33rd minute when Ghoochannejad met an Ashkan Dejagah corner with a header which brought an excellent reflex save out of Enyeama.
Iran continued to grow in confidence early in the second half, when Ghoochannejad screwed a long-range shot wide of target.
Former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi replaced Moses after 52 minutes and immediately came close to connecting with a cross from the left by Ramon Azeez.
Iranˈs next match is with Argentina on June 21.
