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
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