Curitiba (Brazil): African champion Nigeria were held to a 0-0 by Iran in a FIFA World Cup Group F match at the Arena da Baixada here Monday, for the first draw in this year's tournament.

The two teams split opportunities in the match. Nigeria had more chances in the first half, while Iran did a better job in the second, reports Xinhua.

Though the temperature of 21 degrees celsius was perfect for football, it wasn't a match of high quality attacking play that his been emblematic of this year's World Cup.

Nigeria's defender Kenneth Omeruo (L) fights for the ball with Iran's forward Reza Ghoochannejhad during a Group F football match between Iran and Nigeria at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Pic/AFP

Iran became the first team from Asian Football Confederation to win a point at the tournament.

Iran was the highest-ranked Asian team in the most recent FIFA rankings. Nigeria was also one of the best teams in Africa.

"I remember watching the World Cup in South Africa. It was disappointing that we didn't come out of the group in 2010," said the 21-year-old defender Kenneth Omeruo, who plays for Chelsea.

Nigeria took an early advantage. Victor Moses cut inside from the Nigerian left and hit a pop shot from the edge of the box, but the shot was too comfortable for Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.