Ahmed Musa scored twice as Nigeria kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive and dealt Iceland’s chances a blow with a 2-0 win in Volgograd. Musa struck a volleyed opener four minutes after the interval when he expertly controlled a rapid Victor Moses cross and fired into the top corner past Hannes Halldorsson. In the 75th minute, the Iceland goalkeeper was left flat on his backside as Leicester striker on loan at CSKA Moscow last season, double the score.
Iceland had the best opportunity to pull a goal in the 80th minute when VAR correctly overturned the referee’s initial decision and ruled Ebuehi had bundled Bjorn Sigurdarson inside the box. Gylfi Sigurdsson confidently stepped up to take the penalty but blazed his effort over the crossbar. The victory moves Nigeria up to second in the Group C table on three points behind Croatia (six points), with Iceland and Argentina on one point apiece.
