Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, left, and forward Peter Odemwingie celebrate their win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in a World Cup match at Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba, Brazil, on Saturday, June 21. Nigeria won 1-0 and Bosnia was eliminated.
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(CNN) -- Lionel Messi waited until injury time to break Iranian hearts Saturday and give Argentina a scarcely deserved 1-0 victory in Belo Horizonte in a Group F clash.
Iran had come close to pulling off a major upset with a series of second half chances until Messi found space just outside the penalty area to fire home an unstoppable shot.
It was his eighth goal in his last seven appearances for Argentina and could not have been more timely, a second win securing his side a last 16 place with a group match to spare.
Messi had also scored what turned out to be the crucial second goal in Argentina's 2-1 win over World Cup debutant Bosnia Herzegovina to open its Brazil 2014 campaign.
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Before his superb strike, the four-time FIFA World Player of the Year had been kept largely quiet by the dogged defense of the Iran, who had drawn with Nigeria in its opener.
Argentina dominated possession in the first half, but Iran's Jalal Hosseini had perhaps the best chance -- however the defender headed over the bar from a corner.
Iran took the upper hand after the break, with Reza Ghoochannejad heading straight at goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the 53rd minute when he should have scored.
Ashkan Dejagah then appeared to have won a penalty soon after when he was brought down in the area by Pablo Zabaleta, but Serbian referee Milorad Mazic waved play on.
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Dejagah was denied a goal in the 67th minute when the forward beat Zabaleta to a cross, but saw his header tipped over the bar by Romero.
Reza also had a great opportunity to secure a famous victory with five minutes remaining, but it was Romero again to the rescue for Argentina with another fine save.
"They made the game very difficult for us," admitted Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella after his side's last-gasp victory.
"Messi was marked very tightly, but he showed perseverance, patience, attitude and always looked for the goal. He never gave up."
Sabella's Iranian counterpart Carlos Queiroz also praised Messi, but was unimpressed by the referee's performance in denying his side a second half penalty.
"Messi was fantastic, but the referee wasn't," said the former Real Madrid coach.
"I don't understand it, he had to have seen it was a penalty. He was five meters away, there is no way he couldn't have seen it."
Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia
Later Saturday, Nigeria consolidated second spot in Group F behind Argentina with a 1-0 win in Cuiaba over Bosnia, who are eliminated.
Peter Odemwingie's 29th minute goal secured victory for the Super Eagles, who drew with Iran in the opening round of matches.
Bosnia was left to curse its luck, with Edin Dzeko having a goal mistakenly ruled out for offside in the first half, while in stoppage time the Manchester City striker saw his effort strike the post.
But Nigeria also carried an attacking threat and Emmanuel Emenike might have added a second only to see his late effort go just wide of the post.
It was Nigeria's first win at a World Cup since 1998 and they will face Argentina in the final group games Thursday.
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The body language says it all. Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (center) and teammate Juwon Oshaniwa savor the victory.
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo, left, tries to comfort Bosnia-Herzegovina forward Edin Dzeko at the end of the close game. Defender Kenneth Omeruo marks the moment. It was Nigeria's first win at a World Cup since 1998.
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama makes a save.
Referee Peter O Leary makes a point to Joseph Yobo of Nigeria and Vedad Ibisevic of Bosnia.
Bosnia- Herzegovina forward Edin Dzeko, left, heads the ball near Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina assists Michael Babatunde of Nigeria off the field.
Bosnia defender Toni Sunjic challenges Nigeria forward Emmanuel Emenike.
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo gestures near Bosnia-Herzegovina defender and captain Emir Spahic.
Nigeria forward Emmanuel Emenike, right, challenges Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Toni Sunjic.
Fans hold up a sign during denouncing Boko Haram during the match. The militant group is blamed for scores of attacks in Nigeria.
Nigeria forward Michael Babatunde jumps to head the ball with Bosnia-Herzegovina defender and captain Emir Spahic.
Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper Asmir Begovic eyes the ball
Peter Odemwingie of Nigeria celebrates scoring his team's lone goal, which proved enough.
Nigeria forward Peter Odemwingie, right, celebrates near Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic after scoring a goal.
Peter Odemwingie of Nigeria scores his team's first goal past Asmir Begovic.
Bosnia defender Toni Sunjic, right, fights for the ball with Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo, left, Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose and Nigeria forward Peter Odemwingie, center.
From left to right, Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder Senad Lulic, defender Toni Sunjic, forward Edin Dzeko and midfielder Haris Medunjanin jump to block a free kick by Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel`.
Nigeria defender Juwon Oshaniwa, right, challenges Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder Izet Hajrovic.
A man holds a banner reading "Bring back our girls" ahead of the match between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The sign is a reference to the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls in April.
Fans snap photos during the match between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Germany forward Miroslav Klose, right, checks Germany forward Thomas Muller after a collision during a World Cup match against Ghana at Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza, Brazil. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Miroslav Klose of Germany does a flip in celebration of scoring his team's second goal. It gave Klose his 15th goal in the World Cup, drawing him level with Brazilian great Ronaldo for the scoring record.
Ghana's goalkeeper Fatau Dauda reacts as he fails to save a goal.
Asamoah Gyan of Ghana celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates. It was his fifth goal in World Cup finals, equaling the African record held by the great Roger Milla of Cameroon.
Asamoah Gyan of Ghana scores his team's second goal past Manuel Neuer of Germany.
Andre Ayew of Ghana celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Germany.
Andre Ayew of Ghana scores his team's first goal on a header over Per Mertesacker and Shkodran Mustafi of Germany.
After a tight first half, Mario Gotze put Germany ahead in the 51st minute after a pin point cross from Thomas Muller.
Mario Gotze of Germany scores his team's first goal.
Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah falls.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer makes a save.
Sami Khedira of Germany in action during the match.
Jonathan Mensah, left, of Ghana in action.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer makes a save.
Toni Kroos of Germany is challenged by Jonathan Mensah, left, and Mohammed Rabiu of Ghana.
Fans cheer during during the Ghana-Germany match.
Ghana midfielder Mohammed Rabiu, left, vies with Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Philipp Lahm of Germany competes for the ball with Christian Atsu, left.
Goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda of Ghana prays prior to the match against Germany in Fortaleza, Brazil.
The crowd at Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza before Ghana and Germany match up.
Fans cheer and hold up banners ahead of the game.
A young German fan shows her spirit.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's goal during the World Cup match between Argentina and Iran at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Argentina defeated Iran 1-0.
Messi, Argentina's captain, shoots past Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejhad for the goal. "They made the game very difficult for us," admitted Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella after his side's last-gasp victory.
Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejhad, left and Argentina defender Federico Fernandez vie for the ball.
Members of the Iranian team appeal to referee Milorad Mazic, claiming Argentina's Pablo Zabaleta fouled Ashkan Dejagah of Iran.
Iran forward Ashkan Dejagah, left, and Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta collide.
Argentine legend Diego Maradona looks on during the match.
Argentina forward and captain Lionel Messi, left, takes a free kick.
Iran defender Jalal Hosseini, left, and Argentina forward Sergio Aguero vie for the ball.
Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haqiqi makes a save.
Iran midfielders Andranik Teymourian and Javad Nekounam battle for the ball against Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain.
Iran midfielder Ehsan Hajsafi plays the ball.
Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain, right, and Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Haqiqi vie for the ball.
Sergio Aguero of Argentina competes for the ball against Iran.
Iran defender Jalal Hosseini, second right, heads the ball.
Army officers look on from the stands.
A fan painted with the Iranian colors poses before the match.
Fans cheer for Argentina. 
