Ahmed Musa scored two secondhalf goals to hand Nigeria a 2-0 win over Iceland thus reviving Nigeria’s hope of progressing to the knock-out stage of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The Leicester City forward, on loan to CSKA Moscow, illuminated the Volgograd Arena with two spectacular goals which saw Nigeria leapfrogged Iceland and Argentina in Group D. Musa, alongside Kelechi Iheanacho and Kenneth Omeruo were given a starting role by Gernot Rohr, who kept arrowhead striker Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi on the bench while Abdullahi Shehu was traded for Omeruo in the defense.
The first-half was drab with the highlight being Iceland’s famous Viking thunderclap which could not to inspire the same l e v e l of awe from the players, while Nigeria’s football failed to match the e x c i t i n g standards set by that beautiful kit. But the second-half had everything and it was the Super Eagles, who had no shot on goal before, that came charging right from the restart with Balogun heading over the goal.
Few minutes later and Nigeria got their first goal in three World Cup matches as Musa brought the game to life when he plucked Victor Moses’ cross out of the air and lashed a ferocious half-volley into the net.
His blistering pace left was too much for the Icelandic defence and he left them all for dead with a brilliant individual second. Gylfi Sigurdsoon could have ensured a tense finish but the Everton striker fired a late VAR-awarded penalty into the crowd, as Group D stands perfectly poised for a dramatic final day which will see Nigeria face Argentina while Iceland confront Croatia. Nigeria are placed second on the table on three points while Iceland and Argentina are third and last respectively on a point each.
Croatia have six points and have already qualified. Musa, meanwhile said he was used to breaking records in Nigerian football after emerging the first Nigerian player to score in two World Cup tournaments.
Musa scored two goals against Iceland in the Group D of the ongoing World Cup to give the Super Eagles a 2-0 victory. He also scored two goals against Argentina at the Brazil 2014 World Cup group match which the Eagles lost 3-2. Before he left Nigeria Musa emerged the highest scorer in the Nigerian football League.
“I am a record breaker and so I am happy to do it again. It was amazing but I have to thank my colleagues for making it possible. It was a great victory for the country. “This stadium in Volgograd has been good to me. Anytime I play here foe CSKA Moscow, I score.”
Meanwhile, Musa two goals in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Iceland has now made him Nigeria’s top scorer in the World Cup. The CSKA Moscow player, on loan from Leicester City finished off, with aplomb, a great cross from Chelsea’s Victor Moses in the 49th minute to break the deadlock before adding a great individual effort in the 75th minute in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Iceland in Volgograd to scoop the man of the match award.
His previous goals at the World Cup came in the 3-2 lost to Argentina at the Brazil 2014 World Cup which saw him level on two goals with Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke and Kalu Uche each of who have scored two goals.
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