FIFA World Cup 2018: Nigeria 2-0 Iceland - 5 Talking Points

Nigeria put behind a disappointing first-half performance, to beat Iceland 2-0 thanks to two goals from Ahmed Musa, ensuring they only need a point from their third group game against Argentina to qualify for the Round of 16.

Musa's first goal was a thing of beauty, as he controlled Victor Moses's cross brilliantly before slotting past Hannes Haldorsson.

Gylfi Sigurdsson missed a late penalty for the Vikings to snuff out any hope Heimir Hallgrimsson's men would have had of staging a comeback.

Nigeria catapulted themselves to second in the group with the three points, behind Croatia who have had a perfect start to their campaign.

Here are some of the main talking points from the game.

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#5 Iceland's promising first half

In the first half, Iceland looked like they were carrying the confidence from that draw against Argentina, as they troubled the Super Eagles, with their incisive play. But they could not really create too many opportunities despite having the territorial advantage.

They fielded a more attacking line-up as well, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson partnering Alfred Finnbogasson up top, in a bid to give them more presence in the opposition box. But, in the end, that did not end up making a huge difference.

Gylfi Sigurdsson's early free kick was the closest they came to testing Francis Uzoho. Rurik Gislason and Hordor Magnusson got into some terrific crossing positions in the first half, and put in some testing balls into the box, but there was no Icelandic body at the end of any of those crosses.

Nigeria struggled from set-pieces in their last game against Croatia, so it was, on face value, a strategy that made sense for Iceland to employ, but if this side has an achilles heel, it is their performance in the opposition final third, and Nigeria enjoyed the rub of the green in the first half.

Aron Gunnarsson's long throws were also a considerable test for the Nigerian defense, with the big frames of Ragnar Sigurdsson and Alfred Finnbogasson attacking those flat throws, but in the end, no damage was done.

#4 Nigeria's changed system works a treat

John Obi Mikel's performance in midfield was a driving force for Nigeria

Nigerian manager Gernot Rohr was clearly concerned by the obvious weaknesses his team displayed while defending set-pieces against Croatia, so he added more height in the team, with an additional centre-back.

But the change in system to a three-man defense also helped Nigeria in other areas of the pitch. In midfield, it gave more freedom to Oghenekaro Etebo and John Obi Mikel, to move the ball forward and play passes at will.

With Wilfred Ndidi sitting in the base of the Nigerian midfield, it was a strong core for Nigeria, against an Iceland side that sacrificed a midfielder, to play an additional striker.

Aron Gunnarsson was his usual combative self, and Gylfi Sigurdsson tried to play some inventive passes, but more often than not, the Vikings were outnumbered in midfield.

Especially in the second half, with more intensity and desire from the Nigerians, Iceland could not live with the quality and precision of Nigeria's movement, and in the end, that turned out to be the difference between the two sides.

#3 Ahmed Musa comes to the party

Ahmed Musa became Nigeria's all-time leading scorer at World Cups

With his two goals today, Musa became Nigeria's all-time leading scorer at a World Cup. He also became the first ever Nigerian to score at two different World Cups, following his two goals in Brazil in 2014.

His two goals today were absolute pieces of art - as contrasting pieces of art as you could get.

The first one stemmed from a Gunnarsson long-throw, that Nigeria cleared well, and managed to string together an incisive counter-attack. The ball found its way to Victor Moses on the left wing, and when he played in a cross, Musa still had plenty of work left to do.

He controlled the high ball with an immaculate touch that took Ragnar Sigurdsson out of the game, and then it sat up invitingly for him to smash past Halldorsson, and he did the honours with an unerring smash into the top corner.

Musa wasn't done yet, as he once again capitalised on an opportunity to break, this time down Iceland's right. He dribbled past Birkir Saevarsson and Kari Arnason like they weren't there, before rounding Halldorsson, and smashing the ball into an empty net.

Remember his goals in 2014? The opposition? A certain La Albiceleste. If a repeat ensues in Nigeria's next game, that is Russia 2018 kissing goodbye to Lionel Messi.

#2 VAR continues to prove its detractors wrong

Gylfi Sigurdsson missed a penalty, which was awarded after consulting VAR

Another game, another penalty, another penalty awarded after consulting the Video Assistant Referee.

Prior to this tournament, VAR had its fair share of detractors, with the system and even the concept coming under fire from large quarters. But so far in the tournament, it has only done good (although Australian fans might not agree).

Howlers have been eliminated, and more importantly, justice is being done, when it comes to the big calls.

Referee Matt Conger today missed a challenge from Tyronne Ebuehi on Birkir Saevarsson, and after consulting the technology, the right decision was arrived at, and Iceland had a penalty and a chance to stage a comeback.

Gylfi Sigurdsson skied the penalty, but at least now the Icelandic fans have only one of their own to blame, and not any external factors.

After the earlier game today, when Neymar was denied a penalty by the VAR, this was a second feather in the system's cap. Long may it continue.

#1 Mouthwatering final matchday in Group D

Over to you, Leo!

Croatia are through, and their coach Zlatko Dalic has confirmed that he will rest players against Iceland in their last group game.

The other one promises to be a cracker. Argentina will take on Nigeria in St. Petersburg in what is likely to be a winner-takes-all encounter.

The Super Eagles only need a draw from that game to qualify, barring an Icelandic miracle, so it is safe to say they go into the final matchday in the best position among the three teams fighting for the final qualification spot from Group D.

Nigeria showed today, the exact qualities that could, on paper, be extremely troublesome for the Argentine defense. The pace of Musa and Moses is not exactly going to fill Nicolas Otamendi and co. with too much confidence ahead of what is their biggest game for their country to date.

Iceland will be absolutely eager to ensure that they are there in the debate as well, but even with the promised changes from Dalic, Croatia seem a well-drilled outfit and will take some beating.

And beyond all of that, there is always the threat of that little fella wearing no.10 in the famous blue and white saying he's had enough of all this nonsense and firing his nation into the knockouts.

Your move, Nigeria. Your move, Iceland. Your move, Leo!