Ahmed Musa scores twice as Nigeria claim first win in Russia

The Super Eagles produced an improved display following their weak performance in the 2-0 loss to Croatia and deservedly won the match thanks to Ahmed Musa’s second-half brace.

The result leaves Nigeria second in Group D, two points better off than both Iceland and Argentina, who they face in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

The first half was dreary although Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho did have to palm Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick away for a corner before getting down to save another effort by the Everton midfielder.

After a sterile period of play, a flowing Iceland move ended with Birkir Bjarnason lashing his shot way over Uzoho’s goal. Leon Balogun then managed to flick the ball away from danger as two Iceland players tried to get on the end of a teasing cross.

The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first half came just before the interval when Iceland’s Alfred Finnbogason narrowly failed to turn Sigurdsson’s excellent free-kick home.

The Super Eagles had their first shot of the game 20 seconds after the restart but Oghenekaro Etebo’s low drive was gathered easily by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.

However, Nigeria scored with their next attack in the 49th minute when, after Victor Moses had surged down the right, Musa controlled the Chelsea man’s cross before lashing a superb shot past Halldorsson.

Nigeria were galvanised by the goal and almost scored again eight minutes later when Halldorsson tipped Wilfried Ndidi’s powerful long-range drive over the bar.

Moses lashed a shot narrowly over and Musa hit the woodwork, with Halldorsson beaten, before Musa showed great pace in the 75th minute to beat the toiling Iceland defenders, and then kept his cool as he slotted the ball home.

Iceland were handed a lifeline with eight minutes left when they were awarded a penalty after Birkir Mar Saevarsson had been fouled by Tyronne Ebuehi, but Sigurdsson blazed his spot-kick over the bar.

It proved to be Iceland’s last chance of getting back into the match as Nigeria easily held on for the three points.