Nigeria stun hosts Argentina 2-0, qualify for U-20 Q-final

Nigeria stun hosts Argentina 2-0, qualify for U-20 Q-final

The Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have qualified for the quarter-final of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup after beating hosts Argentina 2-0 Wednesday night.

The Flying Eagles had progressed out of their group as one of the best losers despite having the same six points as the group leader Brazil and second placed Italy.

Argentina finished top of their group with maximum nine points.

The home fans at the stadium gave thunderous support to the Argentine team as the South Americans enjoyed an dominance in the early stage of the match.

Nigerian coach Ladan Bosso made three changes to the lineup that lost 2-0 to Brazil in their final group game.

The Flying Eagles almost got a shocking lead in the ninth minute, but Ibrahim Muhammed stroked the ball just inches away from the upright.

After the first half, Bosso brought on Umeh and Haliru Sarki for Salim Fago Lawal and Jude Sunday. The changes raised the play pattern in the Nigerian team almost immediately.

A few minutes later, the Flying Eagles’ Umeh fought off a defender and scooped a through pass to Muhammed at the edge of Argentina’s goal area. The winger made no mistake and sent the ball beyond an onrushing Gomes Gerth into the net.

The Argentines reacted accordingly to the goal as they poured forward in search of an equaliser. But Kingsley Aniaboso, the Nigerian goalkeeper, made important stops to prevent the opponents from scoring.

The Flying Eagles will play the winner of the clash between South Korea and Ecuador in the quarter-final.