Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Qualify For #FIFAU20WorldCup Round Of 16

Nigeria’s flying eagles advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina after defeating Italy 2-0 in Mendoza.

The Flying Eagles defeated Italy 2-0 to keep their perfect record in the FIFA U20 World Cup and advance to the Round of 16 with one game remaining.

Salim Fago Lawal and Jude Sunday score as the Flying Eagles overcome Italy and advance to the knockout round of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup.

After losing their first group games, Brazil and the Dominican Republic will square off later tonight.

On the hour, Salim Fago Lawal opened the scoring for Nigeria with a diving header off a cross by Emmanuel Umeh.

In stoppage time, Jude Sunday extended Nigeria’s lead when he got to the end of a long thrust by goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso, outran his man, and tapped home.

Both captain Daniel Bameyi and Sunday came close early in the second half before scoring the game-winning goal.

Bameyi’s sly shot was stopped, while Sunday’s lofted effort was headed to safety with the goalie out of position.

Italy had the ball more in the first half, but Nigeria was more dangerous moving forward and generated more chances.

In the 27th minute, Jude Sunday blasted a low shot that just missed the mark.

Salim Fago was denied by the Italian goalkeeper four minutes later.

In the 36th minute, VAR overturned a penalty awarded to the Flying Eagles after Solomon Agbalaka handled the ball within the box.

The let off came after an Italian player handled the ball earlier in the sequence that led to the penalty against Nigeria.

Both teams went into the locker room tied at 0-0 after goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso saved a stinging shot in first-half stoppage time.

Starting XI for the Flying Eagles vs. Italy (4-3-3):

Aniagboso – Agbalaka, Bameyi (Captain), Frederick – Daga, Eletu (Joshua John 67), Lawal (Nnadi 46) – Jude Sunday, Fago (Sarki 63), Ibrahim Mohammed (Emmanuel Umeh 46).