Nigerians were left to remember the name Sontje Hansen as a hat trick from the Ajax starlet saw the Golden Eaglets crash out of the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.
Hansen scored twice in the first half before adding a third from the spot in the second as European champions Netherlands thrashed a half-baked Nigerian side 3-1 at the Estadio Olimpico in Goiania.
As it had been the norm in the competition, the defensive frailties of the coach Manu Garba-led Golden Eaglets continued unabated and Hansen found the back of the net as early as the 4th minute.
Nigeria responded through forward Olakunle Olusegun who scored his first goal of the tournament in the 12th minute, a left footed effort from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner.
The Eaglets however did not remain level for long as they conceded again in the 15th minute. Hansen once again punishing the defence after they failed to clear a set-piece.
Nigeria grew into the half and finished the first half the stronger of both sides but met a brick wall in Dutch goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie.
The five-time champions could however not create good scoring opportunities in the second half and while they kept pressing, the Europeans were awarded a penalty at the other end courtesy of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention which punished a handball by defender Ferdinand Ikenna.
Hansen made no mistakes from the spot to send his side to the quarterfinal where they will face the winners of the all-South American tie between Argentina and Paraguay.
Earlier on Tuesday, another African side Angola were eliminated from the tournament by Korea Republic who beat them 1-0 courtesy of Chin Minseo’s first half goal.
