The Nigerian under-20 team delivered the blow on Wednesday by knocking out hosts Argentina after winning 0-2 in the category’s round of 16 of the World Cup.
Ibrahim Muhammad, in the 61st minute, and Rilwanu Sarki, in the 91st minute, scored the goals for the African team, who beat an ‘Albiceleste’, the top winner of these World Cups, by six crowns.
After this standings, Nigeria is waiting for either Ecuador or South Korea, which will determine one of the final rounds of 16 brackets this Thursday.
Argentina came into this union with perfect pace after finishing first in Group A following their 2-1 wins against Uzbekistan, 3-0 against Guatemala and 5-0 against New Zealand.
Nigeria, meanwhile, finished third in Zone D behind Brazil and Italy, following a tight 2-1 win against the Dominican Republic, a surprise 2-0 win against Italy, both in Mendoza, and a 0-0 defeat to Brazil in La Plata.
The first clear chance was for Argentina (m.4) with a cross from Federico Redondo that went wide and three minutes later Luka Romero lined up for a left foot shot that went just wide.
However, in the 9th minute, Nigeria responded with a side falling into the Argentina area and after a rebound from Ibrahim Muhammad that hit goalkeeper Federico Gómes Gerth’s far post.
And in the 12th minute, Alejo Véliz gave up a back ball for Valentín Carboni to attempt a shot that also passed with a sigh.
After this hectic start, Nigeria set up a much smoother game, which meant that Argentina had no chance to score until the 26th minute. It was a corner taken by Valentín Barco that mishit Federico Redondo, wasting a clear situation on Kingsley Aniagboso’s goal.
In minute 37 a Luka Romero touch with Brian Aguirre who sent a cross to Alejo Véliz to connect with a header, but the ball went over the crossbar.
And three minutes later, a left-to-right combination ended with a Valentín Carboni arrival and just before his shot, Ibrahim crossed Muhammad to clear a corner.
In the 43rd minute, Alejo Véliz was again close to the opening of the scoreboard with a cue, which at the end found the best version of the one led by Javier Mascherano, although he could not record it on the scoreboard.
And after a rough start in the 50th minute, Argentina made a dangerous move with a long shot from Valentín Barco that required the intervention of goalkeeper Aniagboso.
But in the 54th minute Jude Sunday from over 30 yards tried to successfully restrain Federico Gómes Gerth, and in the 57th minute Abel Ogwiche’s shot hit the crossbar after a poor start from the Argentina goalkeeper.
And in the 61st minute, a deep and running qualification from Ibrahim Muhammad ended with a goal for Gómes Gerth’s departure to open the scoring.
In the next play, Alejo Véliz remained in front of the rival goal and his shot went just wide.
And in the next few minutes the conceded Umeh Emmanuel had a running action but his shot went just wide and in the next action Valentín Carboni fired from the edge of the box and the goalkeeper Aniagboso took it for a corner.
Argentina took a risk and moved into action with shots from the outside from Valentín Carboni, Luka Romero and the conceded Gino Infantino but missed target to reach the tie.
Nigeria took advantage of their speed to counter-attack with conceded Umreh Emmanuel as a great reference who had a shot that demanded Gómes Gerth.
And in the 79th minute, Alejo Véliz was in front of goal and in speed he defined with an angleless shot that went very wide.
Luka Romero had the clearest option in the 83rd minute with a cross that hit the post and in the ensuing corner Ignacio Maestro Puch missed the ball with a shot he couldn’t hit with certainty.
And in minute 83 a ball was left on Gino Infantino’s penalty spot, but the Nigerian defenders just managed to clear it from a corner, and two minutes later Alejo Véliz headed wide.
And in the first minute of extra time, Nigeria punished it with a perfect cross from Urmeh Emmanuel before the arrival with an empty-goal header from Rilwanu Sarki.
Nigeria, which finished second in the U-20 World Cup twice: 1989 (lost the final against Portugal) and 2005 (lost in the decisive game against Argentina) – in addition to third place in 1985 – will continue to participate for the 13th time in this youth ecumenical event after accessing this edition after finishing third in the last African Cup of Nations sub-20.
Source: El heraldo
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
