World Cup 2018
Group D
Friday, June 22nd
Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
Kick-off at 16:00 (4pm) GMT
NIGERIA VS ICELAND
The West African giants will be hoping for a much better performance this time out after their rather dismal showing in their opening affair against another European nation, Croatia. They were ultimately undone by an Oghenekaro Etebo own-goal and a Luka Modric penalty either side of half-time as Vatreni took an early lead at the summit of the group, capitalising on Argentina’s early draw with
World Cup debutants Iceland. Lionel Messi missed his fourth penalty from his last seven taken for club and country as La Albiceleste were forced to settle for a point.
Group D results:
16/06/2018 – Argentina 1-1 Iceland
16/06/2018 – Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
Alfred Finnbogason’s equaliser against Argentina was Iceland’s first goal at a World Cup and was Finnbogason’s third goal in as many matches. The pair though are each now winless in their last five respective international matches. Strakarnir Okkar’s last victory came over Kosovo in October while Nigeria last tasted success against Poland back in March.
Nigeria recent results:
16/06/2018 – Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
06/06/2018 – Nigeria 0-1 Czech Republic
02/06/2018 – England 2-1 Nigeria
Iceland recent results:
16/06/2018 – Argentina 1-1 Iceland
07/06/2018 – Iceland 2-2 Ghana
02/06/2018 – Iceland 2-3 Norway
Besides the obvious pressure that the players will have to deal with, they will also have to contend with the millions of tiny fruit-flies or ‘miggies’ as they are called in some parts of the world. We saw during England’s opening Group H match with Tunisia the annoyance these things can be and will only add to an already difficult fixture. Icelandic fans will be in full voice with their famous Viking Clap sure to play a big part in pumping up the like of Sigurdsson and co – the smallest nation ever represented at a FIFA World Cup.
The duo have faced just once before in international football, in a friendly in 1981. Iceland came away 3-0 winners on that occasion and a similar result on Friday could put an end to any hopes Gernot Rohr and his side may have of reaching the last 16. Nigeria face Argentina in their last group game on June 26
th.
Nigeria vs Iceland head-to-head:
Played: 1
Nigeria Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Iceland Wins: 1
Nigeria vs Iceland results:
22/08/1981 – Iceland 3-0 Nigeria
For all the latest sports news, football betting tips and promotions, follow
Betway South Africa on
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
Google+ and
YouTube