Ahmed Musa scored a brilliant second-half double to fire Nigeria to a 2-0 victory over Iceland and throw the second qualification spot in Group D wide open with one game remaining.
The Leicester City forward banished memories of a dreadful first half to put the Nigerians ahead four minutes after the interval when he expertly controlled a Victor Moses cross from a rapid break and rifled into the top corner past Hannes Halldorsson.
The Iceland goalkeeper was left flat on his backside for Musa's excellent second 25 minutes later, when the Nigerian collected a long ball on the left win, jinked around one defender, dummied past Halldorsson and then drove out of the reach of two Iceland players standing on the line.
Iceland had a prime opportunity to pull a goal back with 10 minutes remaining when VAR correctly overturned the referee's initial decision and ruled William Troost-Ekong had fouled Bjorn Sigurdarson inside the box. Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson confidently stepped up to take the penalty, but blazed his effort over the crossbar.
Ahmed Musa scored both goals as Nigeria saw off Iceland, doing Argentina a big favour in the process
Nigeria find themselves in desperate need of a victory over Iceland if they are to avoid an early World Cup exit.
The Super Eagles were incredibly disappointing in their opening 2-0 defeat to Croatia and come up against an Iceland side who showed remarkable spirit in holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw.
If Iceland were to win here, Argentina would find themselves in severe trouble following their 3-0 loss to Croatia on Thursday night.
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NIGERIA have snatched a 2-0 victory over Iceland courtesy of a wonderful brace by Ahmed Musa.
Victor Moses delivered the ball into Musa, who took a delightful touch then rifled the ball home in the 49th minute.
It was a huge blow for Iceland, who had enjoyed the better first half but no reward on the scoreboard.
Then, in the 75th minute, Musa struck again.
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Off the back of a quick counterattack, Musa received the ball, cut inside the 18-yard box, rounded goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson and slammed home his second goal.
Iceland had a chance to hit back through a penalty in the 83rd minute, awarded after a VAR review.
NIGERIA V ICELAND MATCH CENTRE: STATS
But Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted his spot-kick over the bar.
It was Iceland’s last real chance of the game.
Ahmed Musa of Nigeria celebrates. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Iceland and Nigeria were locked at 0-0 at half-time of their Group D clash.
It was a relatively cagey first half, with Iceland having the better of the chances — peppering the Nigeria goal late in the piece.
Yet neither team could find a decisive touch up front.
Coach Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles — who brought the youngest squad to Russia, with an average age of around 25 years of age — have now won just one of their past 13 games at World Cups.
Nigeria reached the knockout phase at the 2014 World Cup, but slipped to a 2-0 defeat in their Group D opener against Croatia in Kaliningrad, courtesy of an Oghenekaro Etebo own-goal and a Luka Modric penalty.
STARTING XIs
Nigeria
Francis Uzoho, Bryan Idowu, Wilfred Ndidi, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ahmed Musa, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Obi Mikel (capt), Victor Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Kenneth Omeruo
Iceland
Hannes Halldorsson, Birkir Saevarsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Alfred Finnbogason, Kari Arnason, Aron Gunnarsson (capt), Hordur Magnusson, Rurik Gislason, Jon Bodvarsson
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