ALL TEAMS HAVE LIKELY CHANCE OF QUALIFYING IN THE RUSSIA 2018 GROUP OF DEATH

 The Russia´s group of death is being elecrified – and it is likely Argentina as a stunningly high-profile victim. 

As Messi and the entire Argentines, looked on from behind comfort and peered through fingers, Nigeria threw off their first-half torpidity to claim  victory over Iceland that leaves the Argentines at the  bottom of Group D – and needing victory when they meet the Nigerians in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

Ahmed Musa heading for a hat rick scored both goals, a player deemed not fit by Leicester City, and duly sent back when he brought, on loan to CSKA Moscow.

Russia became a shining ground better than the east Midlands on the fact of two fine goals – after 49 and 75 minutes – which took Nigeria to second place in the section with three points, two clear of both Iceland and two time world champions. 

For Argentina, an Iceland victory would have been worse of; they are trusting they will climb above Nigeria with a win, then their fate then would  depend on the result between Iceland and Croatia.

Iceland has a chance  too, though it will take a lion like willpower to pick themselves up after this defeat. It was a bad  evening for them when Gylfi Sigurdsson flashed over the crossbar a late penalty awarded by VAR, following a Tyronne Ebuehi infringement on Alfred Finnbogason in penalty box.

During the first half , Iceland were the better team against a Nigeria team who were better in ball possession showing only a marginal improvement on their flaccid display in their match against Croatia last Saturday. Within three minutes Sigurdsson had tried Francis Uzoho, Nigeria’s youthful  goalkeeper, with a well shot free-kick. The Everton midfielder  had a clear chance for goal from open play but threw away  the opportunity by shooting too close to keeper Uzoho.

Iceland started well  yet – despite the long throws and corners and crosses – the action was fitful. Sigurdsson  fabulous free-kick when it was almost half-time in the resulting encounters Alfred Finnbogason did not make a clean connection and the ball flew wide.

The Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, had changed his formation, going with a back three – as he did in the 4-2 win over Argentina last November. Rohr gave captain John Obi Mikel a deeper midfield role after his much-criticised wobbling  deployment as a No10 against Croatia.The introduction of Musa – together with Manchester City’s  Kelechi Iheanacho – that would prove telling. 

Musa's double was all that was required to change the tide