Nigeria have breathed new and spirited life into their World Cup, overcoming the Iceland team 2-nil.
In a first half that looked like Nigeria had already given up on this tournament, Iceland were the stronger, playing strong disciplined football, with a formation that continually troubled and thwarted a disjointed Nigerian side. While Iceland were the more in charge, and having the more meaningful chances (Nigeria with shots on goal in the first half), it was the Nigerians with all the possession.
The second half was a completely different match, as Nigeria, led by double-scoring Ahmed Musa, used their pace and skill to attack Iceland at will, the Europeans having no answer for the revitalised and energetic lime green attack.
To rub salt into the Iceland wounds, Gylfi Sigurdsson missed a penalty, given after VAR intervention, and with that ray of hope gone, Nigeria closed out the match, to take three vital points into the last round of group matches.
Final score
Nigeria 2
Iceland 0
Nigeria are looking to pick up their first points of the tournament, while Iceland will be looking to build on their first up sensation of a result with a win to put real pressure on the rest of group D. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 1am AEST.
There’s nothing like the second round of games to give a bit of perspective to the first round of matches in a World Cup.
When Croatia defeated Nigeria, and Iceland held Argentina, group D looked as open as any of them.
But now Argentina are on the precipice, Croatia have already qualified, and the super eagles take on the Icelandic warriors, in a match that is as difficult to call as the toss of a coin.
Nigeria appeared impotent against Croatia over the weekend. But then again, Croatia needed a penalty and an own goal to overcome the Nigerians.
That is the same team that easily accounted for the might of Argentina with 3 goals at absolutely no sweat.
So suddenly, Nigeria may not be the pushovers that they might have otherwise seemed.
And, given Argentina’s capitulation against Croatia overnight, what is the true value in Iceland’s opening draw.
Still good value for money for mine. For a country with population of 350,000, the mere participation of Iceland is remarkable, and you also can’t help but think that the shock of their result over Argentina forced the South Americans into their meltdown against Croatia.
So Iceland are still in this, and as they did against Argentina, they will have to rely upon discipline and resolve, and taking any and every opportunity that presents.
Iceland will also be mindful of creating considerably more in front of goal, given that they managed 8 shots on goal against Argentina, all in the first half.
Nigeria managed 14 shots against Croatia, and will be mindful of being more clinical with their chances.
History is also on Iceland’s side. These two nations have met previously, in 1981, and Iceland came away from that match with a 3-nil victory.
Prediction
Iceland are on a roll at the moment, still following on from their Euro 2016 showing, and that morale boosting opening World Cup draw against a contender must give them the resolve to produce a similar performance again. Nigeria may well have a lot of shots, but it remains questionable whether they can make them count.
Iceland 1, Nigeria 0.
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perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Nigeria have breathed new and spirited life into their World Cup, overcoming the Iceland team 2-nil. It was a match that both teams were eager to capitalize on, with Argentina throwing the whole group into the open. In a first half that looked like Nigeria had already given up on this tournament, Iceland were the stronger, playing strong disciplined football, with a formation that continually troubled and thwarted a disjointed Nigerian side. While Iceland were the more in charge, and having the more meaningful chances (Nigeria with shots on goal in the first half), it was the Nigerians with all the possession. Going into the break, Iceland had all the confidence, and Nigeria seemed bereft of ideas against their better-drilled opponents. The second half was a completely different match, as Nigeria, led by double-scoring Ahmed Musa, used their pace and skill to attack Iceland at will, the Europeans having no answer for the revitalised and energetic lime green attack. The endeavor, pace, and sheer skill of the Nigerian outfit was all too consuming for Iceland, who at times could not keep up. The opening Goal to Musa was a sight to behold, as a left sided raid by Nigeria saw a cross handled with perfection by the number 7, and as he turned and blasted away, the net almost came clear off. The Nigerian ran his knee into the back of the head of Ragnar Sigurdsson, resulting in several minutes of medical timeout. While that Sigurdsson lasted a few more minutes with a heavily bandaged head, he was later subbed. Nigeria scored a second that they deserved, giving Musa his double, and Iceland had it all to do, which was ultimately beyond them. To rub salt into the Iceland wounds, Gylfi Sigurdsson missed a penalty late in the match. A challenge in the penalty area that appeared to connect with the attacking Iceland player was waved on by the referee, only for the VAR to intervene. The referee reviewed the footage, and pointed to the spot. The VAR intervention, and with that ray of hope gone, as Sigurdsson blasted the shot well over the crossbar. Nigeria closed out the match, to take three vital points into the last round of group matches. Nigeria are now in the box seat to join Croatia in the knockout rounds, though all four teams are technically alive. The match up between Nigeria and Argentina may well be a playoff for second spot. For Iceland, a disappointing outcome, and they will hope that they can rise for the occasion against an already qualified Croatia, to maintain some semblance of hope for a knockout round qualification.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time 97' - And the referee blows the whistle. Game over, and what a win to Nigeria! The scenes are going nuts.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
96' - Iceland making the most of this last minute, but no goal, and ultimately too little too late. Nigeria could close this on the counter. Iwobi shot deflected clear!
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
95' - Mikel in a lot of pain, getting worse, holding his left arm in agony. He leaves the field ... oh no, he's not that bad apparently, he's coming straight back on!
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
94' - Jon Obi Mikel down, and in some discomfort. No changes left buddy, you need to see out the last two minutes. Some type of hand injury it appears, and the full medical crew are out in force.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
93' - Right, here comes Iceland. They link up the ball around the park, move into the penalty area, but instead of a shot, they try one more cross. No no no no no no no no no - Shoot!
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
92' - Nigeria just moving the ball around with ease now. Iceland doing a lot of chasing.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - We will have 6 minutes of stoppage time. That seems about right.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
90' - Nigeria make another change. Here comes Iwobi. Etebo comes off. He looks exhausted, and rightly so, he has given everything.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
89' - Nigeria rampaging and shoot, shot blocked. Nigeria back on the ball in their own half, keeper clears.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' - Iceland are in here. In from the left, shoots low and hard. KEEPER SAVES!
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
87' - Iceland with another change. Gunnarsson off, Skulasson on. Gunnarsson cuts a frsutrated figure.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
87' - Iceland just can't seem to keep up with the Nigerian pace, as the break again. That touch allows the keeper to come out and take the ball, but Nigeria just look like they're going to score now every time they have the ball.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
86' - Nigeria back on the attack. Iceland win the ball, and pump it as long as they possibly can. Nigerian keeper pumps it right back.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
85' - Nigeria will make a change. Iheanacho comes off, Ighalo comes on.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
83' - And here comes Musa again, he is firing. nigeria with time to burn, and Ihenacho with the shot. Just wide! Nigeria look a threat every time they're on the ball.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
82' - OH NO - SIGURDSSON HAS MISSED IT! It goes over the cross bar, Baggio would have been proud of that effort.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
Kurt
Guest
Well so much for my theory about Iceland being able to equalise.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Penalty 81' - Iceland have a penalty. VAR does it again!
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
81' - Yes, VAR!!!!!!!!! Ref gets the call, he's running over to the screen.
Nigeria: 2 Iceland: 0