Dominant Gylfi Misses Spot-Kick As Iceland Lose To Nigeria

Gylfi Sigurdsson put in a dominant display but rued a missed penalty as Iceland slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in World Cup Group D.

Everton’s record signing played the full 90 minutes on Friday and was at the heart of every attack for his nation, who dominated the opening half in Volgograd, only for a second-half double from Ahmed Musa to leave them empty-handed.

Iceland were given a lifeline with eight minutes to go as Sigurdsson started a move which led to Birkir Saevarsson being taken down in the penalty area but the Toffees playmaker put the spot-kick over the bar.

The result means Iceland – the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup finals – remain on one point after their 1-1 draw with Argentina last Saturday and now need to beat Croatia in four days’ time to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16 in Russia.

Sigurdsson twice went close to putting Iceland ahead in the early stages. With four minutes on the clock, he whipped a 25-yard free-kick over the wall but saw his effort palmed away by Nigeria keeper Francis Uzoho.

Moments later, the Blues forward found space on the edge of the area, only to be thwarted by Uzoho again with a curling right-foot effort which lacked power.

Sigurdsson then turned provider on the stroke of half-time with a trademark wicked delivery from a free-kick wide right which found Alfred Finnbogason but the striker failed to get a clean connection from close range.

Having failed to muster a shot on goal during the first half, Nigeria took the lead three minutes after the restart with a swift counter-attack. Chelsea’s Victor Moses broke down the right wing and crossed into Musa. The Leicester striker took a deft touch before unleashing a sweet half-volley into the roof of the net.

Iceland struggled to replicate the intensity of their first-half display in the searing heat in western Russia and Nigeria extended their lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Seconds after clipping the bar with a dipping shot form the edge of the area, Musa glided into the penalty box, took the ball past Hannes Halldorsson and fired home.

There was still time for Iceland to threaten a comeback when Saevarsson won his side a penalty after a precise pass from Sigurdsson but the Everton man – so impressive throughout the match – clipped his spot-kick over the bar.