Just when it seemed that Iceland were crafting another masterclass in defensive suffocation, despite a Volgograd evening hot enough to remind them of their geothermal springs, Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa struck twice to derail the dream. At a stroke, the complexion of Group D was transformed, while the Icelandic fans’ much-loved thunderclap chant rang out, by the end, with barely a fraction of its customary Viking menace.
The repercussions were felt far beyond the confines of this stunning stadium, nestled in the shadow of The Motherland Calls, Russia’s colossal monument to the Battle of Stalingrad. Argentina, such strange underachievers at this World Cup so far, were gifted an unexpected last chance to qualify, while Croatia could be all but assured of starting the next round as winners.
For Iceland, alas, described by their own captain Aron Gunnarsson as “everybody’s second favourite team”, the chance of a last-16 place became slender at best. Nigeria, inspired by the irrepressible Ahmed Musa, exploited their second-half lethargy with gusto.
It was a revelatory performance by Musa, who claimed a distinction here as Leicester City’s first World Cup goalscorer. The turning point came at half-time, when Nigeria’s players gathered in a huddle on the pitch, while their opponents ran back indoors to cool down.
The effect was instant, with Musa exemplifying a new-found purpose and hunger. First he caught Ragnar Sigurdsson dithering, seizing on Victor Moses’ pass to launch a strike beyond Hannes Halldorsson’s reach. For his second, he bolted down the left, turned sharply to befuddle Kari Arnason, and lashed a shot high into the open net.
Ahmed Musa scored both goals as Nigeria saw off Iceland, doing Argentina a big favour in the process
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Nigeria has moved into second place in the World Cup's Group D after beating underdog Iceland 2-0 on Friday thanks to two goals from Ahmed Musa. The African nation struggled in the first half and was fortunate to not concede, but Musa went on the counter with Victor Moses in the second half to score the winning goal before putting the game away late, placing his team in a great spot while also giving Argentina life.
Here's the winning goal, which came on 49 minutes:
The touch, the finish, everything about this Musa goal was SPECTACULAR. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ILhhCmiimk — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 22, 2018
Then Musa left his defender in the dust and juked out the goalkeeper for the 2-0 lead:
Musa doubles Nigeria's lead with a great run down the flank and finish! pic.twitter.com/iMEhR9mENH — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 22, 2018
You know things were going well for Nigeria when fans started to do the "Skol."
Gylfi Sigurdsson skied a VAR-confirmed penalty kick with 10 minutes to go, and Iceland could not recover, staying on a point with Argentina.
The win for Nigeria means the team can move on if it beats Argentina, but it could also draw and advance as long as Iceland doesn't beat Croatia.
Iceland (vs. Croatia) and Argentina (vs. Nigeria) will both be looking for a win in their final group stage match while hoping the other doesn't win. If both win on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET, they'll be hoping to top the other on tiebreakers, where Iceland has a slight advantage in goal differential after two games played.
You can watch all the World Cup action, including those final Group D games, on fuboTV (Try for free).
Iceland vs. Nigeria score, live updates
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AHMED Musa struck twice to become the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups Friday as the Super Eagles secured a crucial 2-0 win over Iceland, who missed a penalty.
The African side will secure a spot in the knockout stage if they beat Argentina on Tuesday in Group D’s final round of fixtures.
A draw would be enough to eliminate the Argentines but would leave Nigeria’s fate hinging on the outcome of Iceland’s game against Croatia.
Musa worldie stuns Iceland 1:17
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Musa, who came into the starting line-up in place of Alex Iwobi, announced himself with two of the goals of the tournament so far.
Musa’s sweetly struck half-volley fired Nigeria into the lead just after half-time before he added a second with 15 minutes to go to make the Group D game safe.
NIGERIA V ICELAND MATCH CENTRE: STATS
Ahmed Musa of Nigeria celebrates. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Iceland got a lifeline in the 82nd minute with a VAR-awarded penalty but dead-ball specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson blazed over the bar.
With Croatia heading the group on six points Nigeria knew a second defeat would mean elimination and Iceland started brightest after coach Heimir Hallgrimsson changed to a 4-4-2 from the 4-5-1 he had used in the 1-1 draw with Argentina.
Nigeria star's class act 0:33
Alfred Finnbogason, who scored the equaliser against Argentina as a lone striker, was joined up front by Jon Bodvarsson and the pair quickly made an impact.
Captain Aron Gunnarsson launched a long throw into the box and, after Bodvarsson had made a nuisance of himself, a push gave Iceland a free-kick just outside the area.
Ahmed Musa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Gylfi Sigurdsson struck it smoothly round the wall but 19-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was able to make the save high to his right.
Nigeria, with captain John Obi Mikel sitting deeper in midfield than against Croatia, slowly worked their way into the game with Victor Moses a constant threat on the right flank.
The pace inevitably dropped with the temperature still a stifling 31 Celsius at the 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) local time kickoff.
The match became a stalemate until 10 minutes before half-time when Iceland came close to opening the scoring but Leon Balogun’s glancing header just did enough to thwart Gylfi Sigurdsson and Birkir Bjarnason lurking at the back post.
And on the stroke of half-time Finnbogason came within a whisker of doubling his World Cup tally when he flashed wide Gylfi Sigurdsson’s whipped in free-kick.
Gerhot Rohr brought on wing back Tyronne Ebuehi for Bryan Idowu at the start of the second half and Nigeria came out full of running.
The tireless Moses was released down the right and his cross was met by Musa who teed up the ball deftly with the outside of his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of the net.
As he wheeled away in celebration his knee caught Ragnar Sigurdsson in the back of the head and the Iceland defender needed treatment, a bandage and a change of shirt after sustaining a nasty cut.
Wilfred Ndidi forced Hannes Halldorsson into a fine fingertip save with a wickedly dipping shot from distance in the 58th minute.
Musa made the game safe with his second, controlling a long ball without breaking stride and beating Kari Arnason before rounding Halldorsson and powering his shot past two covering defenders on the line.
Gylfi Sigurdsson of Iceland. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
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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