Volgograd: Ahmed Musa struck twice to become the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups here 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 in Group D’s final round of fixtures Tuesday. 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. On the other hand, if Argentina win, then they will go through if Iceland fail to get a victory against Croatia.
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. It was a goal which had class with a capital ‘C’ written all over it as he beat two defenders with pace and rounded the Iceland keeper before placing the ball into an empty goal.
Iceland got a lifeline in the 82nd minute with a VAR-awarded penalty but dead-ball specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson blazed over the bar.
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. They had two clear chances in the first half. However, in the 19th minute 19-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho made a fantastic save flying to his right to tip over a Sigurdsson free-kick.
Then 10 minutes before the interval, Birkir Bjarnason’s header was wide with a gaping goal in front and at the stroke of the interval a diving Alfred Finnbogason failed to get his head to a whipped free-kick by Sigurdsson which had caught the entire Nigerian defence napping.
Nigeria were slow at the start, but as the game progressed captain John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses started making their presence felt.
Nigerian coach 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.