The Flying Eagles of Nigeria were knocked out of the U-20 FIFA World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Argentina at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pranados in Chile, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway in the opening fixture of Group F, but sealed a 3-2 win against Saudi Arabia before a late strike against Colombia sealed a point to send them into the round of sixteen.
The Argentines didn’t waste time getting the party started in Santiago. Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejo Sarco broke the deadlock just after one minute, after Ebenezer Harcourt came off his line, leaving the 19-year-old to tap the ball into an empty goal.
About 20 minutes later, Maher Carrizo scored Argentina’s second goal, sending his free-kick into the left side of Harcourt’s goal.
Carrizo put the game beyond doubt in the 53rd minute before Inter Miami’s Mateo Silvetti scored the fourth off a deadly counterattack four minutes past the hour mark.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Here’s how the Flying Eagles of Nigeria rated in the encounter:
Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt (4/10)
The Sporting Lagos Academy goalkeeper didn’t have his best game. His error led to the game’s first goal, and he could’ve done better for the second goal he conceded as well.
After conceding the first two goals, it appeared he couldn’t get his head into the game, and another two followed. Not his best night.
Amos Ochoche (5.5/10)
The Argentines’ attack constantly swarmed the right-back. Although he made some mazy runs into the opposition box, they didn’t yield any results. Instead, he continually surrendered possession.
Akinyele Ahmed (5.6/10)
The Remo Stars defender didn’t have the best game against Argentina. His miscommunication with Bameyi was evident, especially in the buildup to the opposition’s first goal.
Daniel Kolocho Bameyi (6/10)
While his defensive partner didn’t make things easy for him at the back, Captain Fantastic couldn’t inspire his team from behind tonight.
His calm demeanour and on-the-ball composure were absent in Santiago, as he looked jittery in the build-up, and instead, tried to keep things safe.
Odinaka Okoro (5.6/10)
Carrizo’s spark in attack meant the Sporting Lagos was pegged back into his own half, and he couldn’t make those mazy runs into the opposition half.
While he was rarely beaten individually, he didn’t have a stellar performance on the night as well and was withdrawn in the 70th minute, replaced by Charles Agada.
Daniel Daga (6.3/10)
Daga’s physicality was mashed and thrown out the window by the technicality of Diego Placente’s midfield trio. He was withdrawn on the hour mark, replaced by Ibrahim Auwal.
Israel Isaac Ayuma (6.4/10)
Like Daga, the 20-year-old couldn’t stamp his foot on the game or be tidy in possession, as they were no match for the opposition. He made way for Emmanuel Ekele in the 62nd minute.
Tahir Maigana (6.2/10)
It wasn’t the best game of the tournament for Maigana as he was able to create just one chance from open play. Like the rest of the team’s attackers, the 17-year-old was completely shut out.
Orseer Achichi (6.2/10)
The Antwerp man played off the left and barely got a sniff on goal. He made way for Azuka Alatan with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Kparobo Nathaniel Ariehri (5.9/10)
Tonight’s performance summed up the tournament in Chile for the Mjondalen forward as he did everything right outside of the box, but simply couldn’t find his way around in the 18-yard area.
Salihu Nasiru (6/10)
The 19-year-old fed off scraps as he wasn’t provided many chances to trouble Argentina’s Santino Barbi. He made way for Kamaldeen Abduljelil on the hour mark.
Substitutes
Ibrahim Auwal (5.8/10)
Given he was brought into the game to inspire some form of resistance to the Argentine’s he was unable to do so, as the Flying Eagles were already three goals down.
Kamaldeen Abduljelil (5.5)
His misplaced possession led to Argentina’s fourth goal. The game was pretty much done when he came on for the final thirty minutes of the game.
Ekele Emmanuel narrowly escaped a red card challenge, while Charles Agada and Azuka Alatan didn’t make any meaningful impact.