Nigeria break Ice; hope for Argentina

Volgograd, June 22

Nigeria beat Iceland 2-0 to revive their hopes of advancing into the knockout stages of the World Cup in Russia on Friday as striker Ahmed Musa dramatically marked his return to the team with two fine second-half goals.

The result pushed Nigeria up to the second qualifying spot in Group D but both sides, and struggling Argentina, are still in the hunt to go through along with already-qualified Croatia.

However, Argentina and World Cup debutants Iceland must win their respective games against Nigeria and Croatia next week to have any chance of advancing. Nigeria could qualify with a draw if Iceland fail to beat Croatia.

In only the second win for an African side in the Russia World Cup so far, Nigeria broke a stale deadlock in the heat of southern Russia in the 49th minute when wing-back Victor Moses lofted a pass towards Musa who deftly controlled the ball and smashed in the half volley.

He made it 2-0 in the 75th minute when he used his pace to beat Iceland defender Kari Arnason and rounded goalkeeper Hannes Por Halldorsson before slamming the ball into the net. Iceland won a penalty in the 80th minute but Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted his kick high over the bar. 

Switzerland sink Serbia 2-1

A 90th-minute goal by Xherdan Shaqiri secured Switzerland a 2-1 victory over Serbia in a blistering-paced Group E match in Kaliningrad on Friday, putting them in a strong position to go through to the knockout round. — Reuters

Argentina can qualify...

• Argentina need to beat Nigeria
• Croatia need to beat or draw with Iceland
• If Argentina beat Nigeria and Iceland beat Croatia, both Argentina and Iceland would be on four points, and goal difference would decide it at that point.