Ahmed Musa’s superb second-half brace secured Nigeria a priceless 2-0 victory over Iceland to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
After a tight first half of few chances at Volgogread Arena, Musa controlled a Victor Moses cross with a fine first touch before blasting the ball high into the net four minutes after the restart.
With Iceland stretched trying to get back into the game, Musa – after having just hit the crossbar – showed lightning pace to get in behind the defence and round goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson before finishing into an empty net to seal the win.
Iceland had a golden opportunity to get back into the game eight minutes from time after referee Matthew Conger awarded a penalty following a VAR review, but Gylfi Sigurdsson blazed the spot-kick over the bar.
Nigeria went on to take all three points from the must-win game after their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Croatia, and now have a real chance of progressing to the knockout stages if they avoid defeat to Argentina in their final group game.
In a game short of real quality, Musa’s fine strike came after a quick Nigeria counter attack which started in their own area.
Victor Moses crossed from the right, and Musa’s brilliant first touch left the Iceland defence for dead before he lashed the ball into the net on the half-volley.
Iceland had their best chance in the last minute of the half after Gylfi Sigurdsson whipped a free-kick into the Nigeria penalty box, but none of his team-mates could stretch out enough to tap the ball into the net.
The result also boosted Argentina’s hopes of reaching the last-16, with Lionel Messi’s side set to qualify for the last 16 if they beat Nigeria in the final game of the group.
