Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded their first win at the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over tournament debutants, Iceland, courtesy of a brace from Ahmed Musa.
Nigeria celebrate their victory against Iceland
Nigeria needed maximum points from the match if they were to keep their hopes of qualification to the knockout stage alive and rightly did the needful. It was a well improved performance from the African giants to help give the African contingent hope in the tournament.
In an uneventful first half that saw Nigeria register no shot on goal, Iceland created the best chances although the cutting edge was lacking.
Everton midfielder Gyfil Sigurdsson had perhaps the best chances of the half. First from a free kick and then a long range effort which were both saved by the young Nigerian goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho.
Gernot Rohr made two changes to the Nigerian side that lost to Croatia with Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho replacing Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi in attack.
Ahmed Musa repaid the trust in him by the German tactician in the 49th minute. Kenneth Omeruo headed out an Iceland corner kick which was flicked on to Victor Moses on the right flank by Musa before the CSKA man made a darting run to catch up with his teammate. Moses although sent in a cross too high for Musa which was intended for Etebo on the near side, the former Leicester Man rose high to control with his outside foot before smashing in a half volley into the top corner.
Musa fires Nigeria ahead
Musa who scored two goals against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was again at the fore in the 74th minute, latching onto a clearance by Omeruo on the left flank, before outpacing his marker, cutting in a defender and rounding the goalkeeper to fire Nigeria's second of the game and of the tournament.
The win means Nigeria now sit second on the group with three points, needing at least a point in their last match against Argentina to qualify.
Nigeria have now won 6 World Cup matches in their history and all have come against European oppositions.
Musa rounds Iceland goalkeeper to score Nigeria's second of the game
Argentina must beat Nigeria to qualify and hope Iceland do not win by a greater goal margin against Croatia.
As it stands in Group D
šš· Croatia 6
š³š¬ Nigeria 3
š®šø Iceland 1
š¦š· Argentina 1