Game 4: Nigeria v Iceland
Nigeria v Iceland
22nd June 2018, 1600
Volgograd
Result:
Nigeria 2 (Musa, 49’, 75’)
Iceland 0
Nigeria were in the dazzling radioactive-green chevrons today, making them look like animated highlighter markers. I can’t say I’m a fan of that kit, it’s way too loud for my taste, the dark green alternative looks much nicer.
Iceland should fancy their chances after holding Argentina to a draw in the first round of games. Argentina were hammered by Croatia in the previous evening’s Group D game and are therefore facing elimination should Iceland win this game and get at least a point from the next.
Fascinating (or not) factoids - Iceland’s no. 19 Rurik Gíslason is a model in his spare time, while no. 6 Ragnar Sigurðsson hates warm weather and much prefers Icelandic winters (apparently even summer in Iceland is too hot for him). Nigeria’s goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is only 19 years old and was a striker until he was 12, before switching to the goalkeeper position.
First half
First chance of note came in the 3rd minute with a decent free kick from Gylfi Sigurðsson, which the Nigerian keeper Francis Uzoho saved.
The first Viking ‘Hú!’ chant came in the 13th minute, it was loud and I am sure it’s more likely to get players up for a match than half-arsed renditions of songs such as - in England’s case - God Save the Queen, someone banging a drum every few minutes or annoying vuvuzelas.
Not the best game in the first half, more absorbing than exciting, and Iceland’s status as favourites in the game seemed to have put them off their stride a bit. There were plenty of balls into the boxes but absolutely no final product - a bit like watching Saints, really, and Nigeria didn’t have a single shot in the first half but did have 66% possession - does that sound familiar to anyone?! The most exciting part was the Viking chant in the first half.
Half time 0-0
Second half
A breakthrough came in the 49th minute with a great break by Nigeria and a goal from Ahmed Musa, with a cracking finish. In the course of Musa getting the goal, Ragnar Sigurðsson copped a whack in the back of the head and it looked like his participation was done, but he’s a Viking and they’re made of strong stuff! However he needed to go off a bit later.
In the 75th minute another good goal from Ahmed Musa made it 2-0. Musa signed for Leicester just after they won the Premier League and he was hardly used while there but what’s the betting now one of the Big Clubz or Liverpool will now be sniffing around? One game doth not a great player maketh but Musa looked pretty good.
The 80th min brought a VAR review for an Iceland penalty but Gylfi Sigurðsson lashed the penalty well over the bar.
Full time - Nigeria 2 (Musa, 49’, 75’), Iceland 0
Conclusion
Iceland were very disappointing, apparently the post offices in Reykjavik closed early today for the match but I now suspect they probably wished they’d remained open. Nigeria were good value for their win, particularly in the second half, and the second place spot is now wide open. It also means Argentina will be relieved as they now have a lifeline, probably an undeserved one, but it now means Group D is very exciting. Croatia are already through, of course, but who will join them - it's between Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria as to who will claim the second spot to go through to the last 16.
Naturally, it's made an absolute mockery of my pre-tournament predictions, as I thought Argentina would go through with Iceland or Croatia to join them. This is precisely why I never join in fantasy football or prediction leagues!!
22nd June 2018, 1600
Volgograd
Result:
Nigeria 2 (Musa, 49’, 75’)
Iceland 0
Nigeria were in the dazzling radioactive-green chevrons today, making them look like animated highlighter markers. I can’t say I’m a fan of that kit, it’s way too loud for my taste, the dark green alternative looks much nicer.
Iceland should fancy their chances after holding Argentina to a draw in the first round of games. Argentina were hammered by Croatia in the previous evening’s Group D game and are therefore facing elimination should Iceland win this game and get at least a point from the next.
Fascinating (or not) factoids - Iceland’s no. 19 Rurik Gíslason is a model in his spare time, while no. 6 Ragnar Sigurðsson hates warm weather and much prefers Icelandic winters (apparently even summer in Iceland is too hot for him). Nigeria’s goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is only 19 years old and was a striker until he was 12, before switching to the goalkeeper position.
First half
First chance of note came in the 3rd minute with a decent free kick from Gylfi Sigurðsson, which the Nigerian keeper Francis Uzoho saved.
The first Viking ‘Hú!’ chant came in the 13th minute, it was loud and I am sure it’s more likely to get players up for a match than half-arsed renditions of songs such as - in England’s case - God Save the Queen, someone banging a drum every few minutes or annoying vuvuzelas.
Not the best game in the first half, more absorbing than exciting, and Iceland’s status as favourites in the game seemed to have put them off their stride a bit. There were plenty of balls into the boxes but absolutely no final product - a bit like watching Saints, really, and Nigeria didn’t have a single shot in the first half but did have 66% possession - does that sound familiar to anyone?! The most exciting part was the Viking chant in the first half.
Half time 0-0
Second half
A breakthrough came in the 49th minute with a great break by Nigeria and a goal from Ahmed Musa, with a cracking finish. In the course of Musa getting the goal, Ragnar Sigurðsson copped a whack in the back of the head and it looked like his participation was done, but he’s a Viking and they’re made of strong stuff! However he needed to go off a bit later.
In the 75th minute another good goal from Ahmed Musa made it 2-0. Musa signed for Leicester just after they won the Premier League and he was hardly used while there but what’s the betting now one of the Big Clubz or Liverpool will now be sniffing around? One game doth not a great player maketh but Musa looked pretty good.
The 80th min brought a VAR review for an Iceland penalty but Gylfi Sigurðsson lashed the penalty well over the bar.
Full time - Nigeria 2 (Musa, 49’, 75’), Iceland 0
Conclusion
Iceland were very disappointing, apparently the post offices in Reykjavik closed early today for the match but I now suspect they probably wished they’d remained open. Nigeria were good value for their win, particularly in the second half, and the second place spot is now wide open. It also means Argentina will be relieved as they now have a lifeline, probably an undeserved one, but it now means Group D is very exciting. Croatia are already through, of course, but who will join them - it's between Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria as to who will claim the second spot to go through to the last 16.
Naturally, it's made an absolute mockery of my pre-tournament predictions, as I thought Argentina would go through with Iceland or Croatia to join them. This is precisely why I never join in fantasy football or prediction leagues!!
