Nigeria’s U20 side, the Flying Eagles, have been dumped out of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup by Argentina, following a 4-0 drubbing in their round of 16 clash on Wednesday night, www.aclsports.com reports.
The seven-time African champions played out a 1-1 draw with Colombia in their final Group F game in Talca to reach the second round. In a repeat of the 2005 final, it was the South Americans who ran riot and deservedly progressed at the expense of the Flying Eagles in Santiago, Chile.
Head coach, Aliyu Zubair, who barely changed his starting XI throughout the tournament, kept faith with the same side from the last game, with only Orseer Achihi replacing the suspended Sani Suleiman.
It was not the best possible start for the Nigerians as the South Americans opened the scoring in the second minute through Alejo Sarco, and midway through the half, Maher Carrizo doubled the lead from a free kick that goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt could have done better.
Nigeria woke up after that period, and they had a penalty shout turned down, before Daniel Daga missed a good chance to bring the 2005 finalists within touching distance before the break. Argentina took the two-goal lead into the break, with plenty to ponder on for Zubair and his side.
After the interval, Carrizo completed his brace in the 53rd minute to extinguish any hopes of a comeback from the Nigerians, before substitute Mateo Silvetti made it four for the former World Champions just after the hour mark. Argentina went ahead to see out a dominant win to reach the last eight.
The Flying Eagles failed to reach the heights of the last edition in 2023, when they reached the quarter-finals. Argentina will now face Mexico in the quarter-final.
