Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have arrived in Santiago ahead of their Round of 16 clash with tournament favourites Argentina at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian contingent touched down in Chile’s capital and largest city on Tuesday afternoon after completing their group-stage campaign in Talca.
In Talca, the Flying Eagles recorded a win, a draw and a loss to seal qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side showed flashes of resilience in Group F, bouncing back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway with a thrilling 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia before battling to a 1-1 draw against Colombia. Their efforts were enough to earn a spot in the knockout rounds, setting up a blockbuster rematch with the hosts of the 2023 edition.
Argentina, who topped Group D after emphatic victories over Cuba (3-1), Australia (4-1) and Italy (1-0), will start as overwhelming favourites when both sides meet at the iconic Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago on Wednesday.
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Flying Eagles vs Argentina: A repeat of 2023
This fixture evokes memories of the Flying Eagles’ meeting with Argentina at the Round of 16 stage of the FIFA U20 World Cup two years ago.
Tournament hosts Argentina were the bookmakers favourites to claim a comfortable victory at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan.
However, second-half goals from Ibrahim Beji Muhammad and Rilwanu Sarki lifted the Flying Eagles, then under coach Ladan Bosso, to an impressive 2-0 win.
Whether lightning can strike twice remains to be seen, but coach Zubairu insists his boys are ready for another battle of grit and belief.
“Every game is a new challenge, and we’ll prepare with the same mentality — focus, discipline, and teamwork,” the coach said after sealing qualification. “We respect Argentina, but it’s a challenge that must be overcome.”
The seven-time African champions will train at the match venue on Tuesday evening under close supervision of the technical team.
Italian referee Maurizio Mariani has been appointed to officiate what promises to be one of the tournament’s most intense encounters.
For Nigeria, it’s a chance to prove their mettle against elite opposition once more. For Argentina, it’s about revenge and redemption on South American soil.