Bosnia-Herzegovina bow out with a win - Salihovic chips in with an assist

Personnel & tactics

Bosnia-Herzegovina had begun the first two games in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but after failing to get a point in either game, manager Safet Susic opted for 4-4-2 with Vedad Ibisevic partnering Edin Dzeko in attack.

Iran played well against Argentina in their second game, despite losing 1-0 and manager Carlos Quieroz started with the same eleven who lost that game.

Hoffenheim players

Both Sejad Salihovic and Ermin Bicakcic, who will join TSG at the start of next season, started the first two games, but were left on the bench for this encounter. Salihovic was introduced in the 79th minute while Bicakcic didn't make an appearance.

Highlights:

4th minute: Dzeko's shot on the turn from inside the box goes flying over the crossbar.

23rd minute: Goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina! A solo effort from Edin Dzeko puts the World Cup-debutants ahead. After a short run, the attacker slots the ball into the bottom left corner with his left foot.

24th minute: Masoud Shojaei almost scores an instant equaliser when his shot cannons off the bar and bounces just in front of the goal line.

42nd minute: A great pass from Dzeko releases Vrsajevic, whose shot goes wide of the far post.

Half time: Iran still looking for their first tournament goal. Bosnia-Herzegovina on course for their first World Cup win.

59th minute: Goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina! Miralem Pjanic scores into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0 on the hour mark.

66th minute: A chaotic scramble in the Iranian penalty area ends with Dzeko miss-hitting the ball. A wasted opportunity.

82nd minute: Goal for Iran! After a corner wasn't thoroughly dealt with, Reza Ghoochannejad pulls it back to 2-1.

83rd minute: Goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina! An instant reaction from Bosnia-Herzegovina! Salihovic sets up Vrsajevic who shoots and finds the inside of the post to make it 3-1.

Final whistle: Bosnia-Herzegovina showed that they could have gone further in their first World Cup. The Iranians showed little threat. Now both team's World Cups are over and they head home. Nigeria, who were beaten 3-2 by Argentina join the South-Americans in the next round.

Man of the match: Miralem Pjanic. The scorer of the second goal was impressive throughout.