By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria, late Wednesday night May 31, 2023, shocked hosts Argentina 2-0, to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against Ecuador or South Korea in the ongoing 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup.
For the Nigerian side popularly known as the Flying Eagles, it was second half goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki that sent the six-time champions out of the competition in the Round of 16.
Not many expected the outcome of the match to go that way.
Most Bookmakers, including yours sincerely with the Heritage Times HT, had predicted Argentina’s win, owing to their experience going into the knockout stage, especially as the Flying Eagles lost their last group match to Brazil with a lackluster performance.
Also, the South Americans have won the tournament previously a record six times.
Surprise Package And A Night Of Wonders
On an incredible night in Western Argentina, the Nigerians pulled out every trick in their book to defend in numbers and then score two goals on quick counter-attacks that had the Albiceleste Sub-20, who had won all their three matches in the group phase, flummoxed and dumbstruck as they crashed out of the tournament.
The team led by Coach Ladan Bosso had a clear intent of what to do before the game.
Then, it was Nigeria’s Muhammad who first pulled a shot which eventually landed on the edge of the box and skidded narrowly off in the early proceedings.
Afterwards, there were exchanges and the Argies came close with a header in the 39th minute, but the Flying Eagles returned with more stamina and guile in the second half and completely gob-smacked the hosts in front of nearly 30,000 fans in San Juan.
Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso had saved from Barco in the 51st minute and Jude Sunday’s shot was held by the opposition goalie, before the two-time silver medalists struck the underside of the bar with an intelligent shot from the edge of the box by Tochukwu Nnadi in the 58th minute.
The hosts escaped there, but would not be that lucky three minutes later, when from a long Aniagboso ball out, substitute Emmanuel Umeh found an onrushing Muhammad who stretched beyond the attention of two defenders and slotted beyond the advancing goalkeeper into the net.
Two minutes later, Umeh could have turned goalscorer when he ran powerfully down the left and planted himself in a good position, but dragged his shot a little too wide.
Carboni saw his shot held by the calm and collected Aniagboso and then headed wide, before Umeh again came close only to be foiled with the goalkeeper beaten.
The nifty Romero hit the upright with a deceptive shot in the 83rd minute, and Abel Ogwuche cleared the ball as two Argies were set to pull the trigger in the 85th minute with things becoming really anxious.
Javier Mascherano’s boys poured forward in search of the equalizer, and were then open to a sucker punch.
AC Milan of Italy’s Victor Eletu showed tenacity and grits to hold on to another long Aniagboso ball out of defence, and then lifted for Haliru Sarki to nod into the net with aplomb for Nigeria’s second with one minute into added time.
Pay Back Victory
The victory somewhat atoned for Argentina’s 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in the final of the 2005 edition of the competition in The Netherlands, when Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty spot to deny the African champions.
Brazil, Italy Coast On
Earlier same day, the Brazilians shone like million stars to condemn Tunisia to a 4-1 defeat.
That sent the North African side out of the biennial competition.
Also, Italy proved too strong for the star-studded England with a lone goal to book the last eight spot.
