CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa was truly at home on Friday afternoon in Russia as he scored a brace which gave Nigeria a 2-0 win over Iceland in a group D match of the ongoing World Cup at the Volgograd Stadium.
It was Africa’s second victory at Russia 2018 after Senegal’s 2-1 win over Poland.
After a faltering start by the Gernot Rohr men who lost 0-2 to Croatia in their group opener, the Eagles this time came back rejuvenated to restore the hope of advancing to the second round of the showpiece.
Musa alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Kenneth Omeruo this time made the starting line up in Friday’s game which was a make or break game for the Eagles.
Etebo Oghenekaro in one of the few shot at goals by the Eagles had his grounder cuddled by goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson.
Leon Balogun was on hand to save an attempt by Iceland’s Magnusson with a header in the 35th minute.
The Eagles showed some urgency in the attack in the second half which resulted in the curtain raiser by Musa in the 49th minute. The Russia-based player was well placed to connect Victor Moses’ cross and clinically finished the effort with a half volley past Halldorsson.
Wilfred Ndidi’s long-range shot in the 60th minute was pushed away for a corner kick by Halldorsson.
Musa was almost on song again six minutes later, but the cross bar saved the Europeans this time.
The former Leicester City record signing, Musa eventually made it a brace in the 75th minute when he, out of sheer brilliance outwitted his marker, as well as the onrushing Halldorsson before he cooly shot into the net where two defenders were also caught helpless.
Rohr brought in the trio of Tyronne Ebuehi, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi later in the second half.
Iceland in the 81th minute wasted the spot kick awarded to them through the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision as Gylfi Sigurdsson balloned the ball with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho already displaced.
Nigeria now second on the table with three points will face Argentina on Tuesday where a win will see them in the second round of the competition alongside Croatia who are already through with six points ahead of the last group game against Iceland.