Magical Musa melts Iceland
Just for a while, the smallest nation in this tournament seemed comfortable with being tipped to win in only their second match at a World Cup finals.
Yet in two moments of brilliance Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa broke Iceland hearts and lifted Argentinian spirits at the Volgograd Arena.
A win for World Cup debutants Iceland would have left Lionel Messi and Co on the brink of despair. Now, thanks to Leicester City striker Musa, Argentina still have hope.
It could have been different had Iceland not lacked a finishing touch. In the first half, Nigeria did not manage a single shot, on or off target, and tV pictures circulated showing one fan nodding off in the stands. It was that bad.
After the break, Nigeria woke up. they attacked, showed bravery and got the win they needed, all thanks to magic Musa.
His first goal arrived after he leapt high to control the ball out of the sky before powering it beyond goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson. Musa’s second was a super solo strike as he ran at Iceland’s defence, rounded Halldorsson then found the net even with two defenders on the line.
Whenever Iceland play, their 330,000 population is often brought into discussion when they are compared with their opponents. For this, around 44million Argentines joined 186million Nigerians in supporting the super Eagles.
Messi and his team-mates may have watched the first five minutes through their fingers as Gylfi sigurdsson twice tested 19-yearold Nigeria goalkeeper Francis uzoho. shortly before the break, sigurdsson swung in a cross and all Alfred Finnbogason had to do was head it home but his timing was all wrong.
At half-time, Iceland had managed seven shots with two on target. Nigeria had none.
this ground was where England scored a late winner against tunisia and both sets of fans hoped for similar excitement.
sixteen seconds into the second half, an effort from Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo suggested they had been told to shoot on sight.
then in the 49th minute they finally made one count. From an Iceland long throw, Nigeria counterattacked. Victor Moses sprinted down the right, crossed and found Musa, who controlled the ball superbly before firing it beyond Halldorsson.
soon after, Musa curled in a shot against the bar from 20 yards. Less than a minute later, he had his second goal. Collecting a long ball, Musa outran Kari Arnason, before sidestepping Halldorsson to score.
In the 80th minute VAR gave Iceland a deserved a penalty after tyronne Ebuehi fouled Finnbogason. sigurdsson stepped up but blazed it over. their way back into the game was gone, and Group D was blown wide open.
NIGERIA (3-5-2): Uzoho 8; Balogun 7, Troost-Ekong 7, Omeruo 7; Moses 6.5, Ndidi 6.5, Mikel 6.5, Etebo 7 (Iwobi 90min), Idowu 6 (Ebuehi 46, 6); MUSA 8.5, Iheanacho 7.5 (Ighalo 84). Scorer: Musa 49, 75. Booked: Idowu.
Manager: Gernot Rohr 7. ICELAND (4-4-2): Halldorsson 6.5; Saevarsson 6.5, Arnason 6, R Sigurdsson 6 (Ingason 65, 6), Magnusson 6; Gislason 6, G Sigurdsson 6.5, Gunnarsson 6 (A Skulason 86), Bjarnason 6; Finnbogason 6, Bodvarsson 6 (Sigurdarson 71, 6). Booked: None.
Manager: Heimir Hallgrimsson 6. Referee: Matthew Conger (New Zealand) 6.5.
Attendance: 40,904.