The smallest incidents sometimes produce the broadest smiles in football. Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi was receiving instructions from Alejandro Sabella on the touchline when, without being prompted by the coach, he decided to help the boss freshen up by spraying his head with water from a drinks bottle. It was not the only refreshing moment in the penultimate round of group stage matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ as a hot, tense and turbulent Wednesday ran its exciting course. La Albiceleste marched into the Round of 16 on the back of an unblemished group stage record, with Nigeria also progressing as Group F runners-up despite losing to Sabella’s side. Over in Group E, France and Switzerland took the total of European nations through to the first knockout round up to four (and they will definitely be joined by Belgium who cannot finish lower than second in Group H with a game to play). The top three memorable moments on the day were impressive double strikes by an established star and a young hopeful, and a sensational hat-trick by a player previously burdened by the weight of pre-tournament expectation. Elsewhere, World Cup newcomers Bosnia and Herzegovina bowed out of the tournament with their heads held high and a win to their name. The eastern Europeans posted a maiden victory at the finals over Iran and made no secret of their pride afterwards. "We'll never forget this for the rest of our lives," Captain Emir Spahic told.
