Ahmed Musa’s brace gave Nigeria a vital 2-0 World Cup win over Iceland in Volgograd, handing Lionel Messi and Argentina a lifeline as a three-way battle for qualification behind Croatia in Group D goes to the wire.

Musa opened the scoring just after half-time with a stunning half-volley, before embarking on a blistering run down the flank and then cutting inside and slotting into the net to double the Super Eagles’ lead on 75 minutes.

READ MORE: Musa secures victory for Nigeria over Iceland with beautiful brace, sets up Argentina showdown

The victory means Nigeria move into second in Group D on three points from their two games – two behind Croatia on six but two ahead of Iceland and Argentina, who are on one point apiece.

An Iceland win would have spelled near-doom for two-time World Cup winners Argentina and Lionel Messi, but Musa’s heroics have blown things wide open for the group finale on Tuesday. 

After the game, Musa was hailed for handing his team a win and Argentina a lifeline – and was feted for doing more for the Argentinian World Cup cause than the misfiring Messi.