Nigeria's U-20 national team, Flying Eagles on Wednesday evening advanced to the knockout stage of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup after beating Italy 2-0 at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in their second Group D game.
 |
| Flying Eagles team mates celebrate their victory over Italy |
Flying Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso made just one change to the starting lineup against Dominican Republic with AC Milan youth product Victor Eletu taking the place of Tochukwu Nnadi in the starting lineup.
The Eagles were presented with the first real sight on goal as early as the second minute when Fago Salim turned swiftly to let fly a low shot that was saved by goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches
Italy's danger player, Tomasso Baldanzi wriggled his way inside the Nigerian box after collecting a good pass from a teammate but his shot was off target.
Baldanzi's teammate Simone Pafundi was next to try his luck at goal but it did not trouble Kingsley Aniagboso in goal for Nigeria
What could have been a promising move for Nigeria broke down in the 14th minute.
Eletu won a tussle in midfield, found Ibrahim Muhammad who teed up Salim Fago Lawal, but the ball was cleared by an Italian defender.
There was a huge let off for Nigeria as the ball struck the bar before Benjamin Fredrick cleared the ball. The Eagles were under intense pressure orchestrated by Italy number 10, Baldanzi.
The Flying Eagles escaped the anguish of a penalty as a VAR checked in the 38th minute showed the ball hitting an Italian's arm before a supposed handling of the ball by Agbalaka. The on-field referee's decision was a free kick to Nigeria
Nigeria's Centre-back Frederick was yellow-carded for foul on Baldanzi towards the end of the first half while Aniagboso produced a smart save to deny the Italians to keep the score even before the break.
In the 61st minute, second half substitute Umeh Emmanuel found Salim Fago Lawal with a weighted short cross after a tussle with an opponent. The latter then headed into the net from the six yard box for the opener.
Italy forward Daniele Montevago curled a beautiful shot from close range but the ball was deflected for corner albeit some of his teammates wanted a penalty claiming a handball in the box.
The Eagles had a fast break in a swift counter play which produced a corner kick late on.
The Flying Eagles however made it 2-0 through Jude Sunday and they held on for the priceless win despite a late Montevago header that Aniagboso had to save on the second attempt.
Nobody gave Flying Eagles a chance against an Italian side rated as one of the most compact teams at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, but the Flying Eagles showed yesterday that football is not mathematics.
Italy defeated mighty Brazil 3-2 in their opening game of the competition on Sunday, while Nigeria struggled to a 2-1 victory over minnows, Dominican Republic.
The manner of Italy’s victory over Brazil, romping into a 3-0 lead before the Samba boys scored two late goals, gave pundits the false impression that it would take exceptional ability to subdue the Azzurrini.
Actually, the Nigerian boys displayed exceptional ability when after a barren first half, they upped their game to score two classy goals.
The dance to glory started in the 60th minute when Samson Lawal crossed a tantalising ball for an unmarked Salem Fago to nod into Italy’s net for the opener.
Buoyed by their fortune, the Nigerians gained more confidence and began to display a compact passing style that was lacking in their first game.
Stunned by the goal, the Italians went forward for a possible equaliser, but that decision paved way for Nigeria’s second goal of the game.
Goalkeeper Kingsley Aniagboso halted an Italian foray into Nigeria’s defence and sent a long ball above every other person for Jude Sunday to pursue. The young attacker raced forward, steadied himself before putting the ball beyond Italy’s goalkeeper to make scores 2-0 deep into stoppage time.
With the win, Nigeria has qualified for the second round of the competition, as their unbeatable six points make impossible for any of the teams to overtake on top of Group D.
