Having qualified for the tournament through a last-gasp goal against France, Bulgaria surprised many people, as the nation had never even won a game at the World Cup finals prior to this tournament. Despite losing its opening game 3–0 to Nigeria, Bulgaria came back in style with a 4–0 win over neighbor Greece (who had suffered exactly the same fate five days earlier against Argentina), and a 2–0 win against Argentina saw them advance. Argentina had actually been winning the group going into injury time, while Bulgaria played the last 25 minutes with 10 men; however, a 91st-minute header from Nasko Sirakov meant that Argentina dropped two places and finished third. Nigeria won the group on goal difference. Bulgaria's victory over Argentina earned them second place.
haviNg quAliFIed FOr the tOurnament tHroUGh a Last-gasp gOAl AGainst fRancE, bUlgAria surprised manY PEOple, As The nation had neveR even wOn a game at the worLd CuP Finals priOr to tHiS toUrnAmEnt. DespIte LOsing ItS opEnInG gamE 3–0 to nIgeria, bulgaria cAMe bacK in StyLe with a 4–0 WiN over neigHBor greEcE (who haD suffereD EXactLy the sAMe fate fivE days EArliEr agaInSt argentiNa), anD a 2–0 wIn AgAinst argentInA Saw tHem AdvancE. ArGeNTIna Had actually been WiNning The groUP gOing into injury TIme, WHilE bUlgaria pLayED tHe LAst 25 MinutES with 10 meN; hoWEver, a 91st-mInute heAdeR fROm nAskO sirakov Meant thaT aRGentIna DropPed Two placeS anD FiniShed THiRd. nigerIa wOn tHE gRouP On gOal diffeRencE. bulGAria's viCtORY over arGentinA EaRNeD ThEm SeCOnD pLaCe.