The Flying Eagles of Nigeria battled Argentina for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in the San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium on Wednesday night.
Argentina were gunning for a record seventh-time triumph in the youth championship. Meanwhile Nigeria, after being two-time runners-up in this tournament, were looking to make it into the last eight by exacting revenge against the same country who denied them hoisting the title at the 2005 edition.
After a cagey first-half where Ladan Bosso's boys executed a perfect game plan, it was the Flying Eagles of Nigeria who at the foot-hills of the Andes climbed over Argentina in the second-half of the game to emerge with a stunning 2 – 0 victory. Ibrahim Beji Mohammed and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki getting the goals.
Argentina vs Nigeria: As It Happened
Highlights between the host Argentina 🇦🇷 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/KpC4nSBANM
— SpeakerMichaelMedia📺 (@SpeakerMichael1) June 1, 2023
Nigeria began the match with more of the possession, pressuring the Argentine defense.
In the 9th minute, the first clear-cut chance fell to Mohammed whose effort went inches wide.
The intensity of the match increased and both teams kept attacking but without troubling the goalposts. Nigeria holding onto the ball.
Around the 35th minute Argentina had 60% possession, while Nigeria had 40%, the match becoming even. In the last minutes of the first half, everything indicated that the teams would go in with a draw at half-time.
Half-time in San Juan, Argentina 0 – 0 Nigeria.
Second Half
The second half started with Argentina pressing. Nigeria's goalie Aniagboso making a great save in the 50th minute to keep the scores at 0 – 0
Argentina haven't played a tough side so far in this competition, Nigeria is their first real test.
In the 57th minute Nigeria made substitutions: Jude Sunday was taken out for Rilwanu Haliru Sarki and Samson Lawal for Umeh Emmanuel.
The changes turned the game on its head as substitute Emmanuel delivered a neat pass to Ibrahim Beji Mohammad who wiggled his way past his marker sending a low shot down the right side of the Argentine goal. 0-1 to Nigeria in the 61st minute!
Argentina almost leveled the scores immediately after going down. Even as Carboni headed wide in the next few minutes.
Argentina made changes in the 75th minute to try and get themselves back into the game, attacking with intensity in the next few minutes as it was looking like Nigeria will exert revenge on the Messi-inspired 2005 loss.
Argentina vs. Nigeria at U20 level: 🏆
🇦🇷 2005: Argentina win 2-1 final
⚽️ Lionel Messi two goalspic.twitter.com/sxgDLU438D— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) May 30, 2023
It's Nigeria holding on to their 0 – 1 lead in front of over 21, 000 fans. As time went on without a goal, Argentine players began to fall into despair at not being able to level up the match.
In the 79th minute, Victor Eletu who's on the books for AC Milan, came on for Mohammad the goal scorer and he made an impact, assisting Sarki for Nigeria's second goal in 90+1 injury time.
The Albiceleste tried to score but it was not to be as the Flying Eagles defended well and held on to a 0 – 2 famous Win over the South Americans.
The last time Nigeria made the quarterfinals was in the 2011 edition where they lost to France. There is no denying them this time, as they await the winner between Ecuador and Korea Republic for a place in the last eight.
