Football Results

The second match in the second round of group D of the World Cup in Russia brings us two teams that had a completely different start in this competition, given that Nigeria was defeated with 2-0 by Croatia, while the debutant Iceland made a great sensation after a 1-1 against Argentina. But still, both teams believe that they will manage to win placement in the round of sixteen and therefore announce offensive game in their first mutual duel in history.

Nigeria

However, in order to record their first victory in this World Cup, the Nigerians must show much better game than in their duel with Croatia, where they only managed to match the much more experienced European team at moments. Namely, the predictions of many experts that the team for Nigeria lacks experience of playing at great competitions have already proved rue in the first match, since they have the youngest team of all the participants in this final tournament. However, their youthfulness and courage against some of the other opponents might have brought something good, but not against the experienced Croatians who eventually routinely came to a win of 2-0.

In fact, winning the placement in the round of sixteen is like a mission impossible for the Nigerians, as they have to play for the victory in the next two rounds, but they first have a duel against a very powerful and disciplined team of Iceland, and then a clash with Messi’s Argentina, which has already blundered in this World Cup. However, coach Rohr points out that they will not give up as long as there is the slightest chance of getting into the round of sixteen, so he has already announced a more offensive tactics against Icelandic than in the match with Croatia, while in the last line instead of the unconvincing Baloguna, we this time expect Omeruo to get a chance.

Probable lineups Nigeria: Akpeyi – Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Idowu – Ndidi, Mikel – Moses, Iheanacho, Iwobi – Ighalo

Iceland

Unlike Nigeria who opened this World Cup in Russia very badly, Icelandic footballers have made a brilliant job in their debut at the world championships, given that they were able to win one point against the first favourite in the group but also the current world champions of Argentina , by playing 1-1. In this way, the Icelanders have once again confirmed that they did not accidentally qualified on the last two major competitions, with the proviso that they four years ago in their debut at European championships even reached the quarterfinals. Of course it is illusory to expect this to happen again now in Russia, but they will certainly be a tough opponent for everyone, which was best confirmed by their defeat with the Argentines.

Otherwise, they also showed their character in the match because they returned very quickly after receiving a goal in the19th minute of the match, in a way that their first striker, Finnbogasson, only four minutes later managed well in the opposing penalty area, when he routinely sent a goal in “Gauchos” network. However, the Argentinians had a great opportunity in the second half to score all three points, but Messi's shot from the white spot was defended by the Icelandic goalkeeper Halldorsson, which has obviously provided additional strength to his teammates, because they were able to keep these 1-1 after their great game in defence. We should also add that midfielder J.Gudmundsson was injured in that duel with the Argentines, so now his position should be occupied by Gislason from the first minute.

Probable lineups Iceland: Halldorsson – Saevarsson, Arnason, R.Sigurdsson, Magnusson – Gislason, Hallfredsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason – G.Sigurdsson – Finnbogason

Verdict:

Both teams still believe that they can win placement in the round of sixteen, so it is quite realistic to expect that they play maximally aggressive and offensive from the first minute, which only means that there may be goals on both sides.

Pick: both teams to score 2.08 - 108/100 @1XBet