THE Flying Eagles were handed an embarrassing 4-0 defeat by Argentina and sent packing from the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile at the round of 16 stage tonight.
Six-time champions Argentina were ruthless in the one-sided encounter, scoring twice in each half against the Nigerian side.
Incidentally, the Flying Eagles defeated hosts Argentina 2-0 at this same stage of the competition two years ago.
Maher Carrizo struck twice, with Bayer Leverkusen star Alejo Sarco and Matteo Silvetti adding the other goals for the South Americans.
Alejo opened the floodgates of goals as early as the second minute, before Maher Carrizo doubled the advantage from a free-kick in the 23rd minute, as Aliyu Zubair’s side fell apart.
Carrizo’s first goal came following a challenge by midfielder Nasiru Salihu at the edge of the box.
An appeal for a penalty from the Flying Eagles was waved off by the referee despite Ramirez’s clumsy challenge on Salihu in the box.
Daniel Daga had a close-range effort saved by Argentina goalkeeper Santino Barbi in first-half stoppage time as the Flying Eagles desperately sought to cut the deficit before half-time.
Carrizo effectively took the game beyond Nigeria with Argentina’s third goal in the 53rd minute, after the South Americans broke forward once more.
Second-half substitute Silvetti beat the offside trap to bend his kick to the bottom right of Flying Eagles goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt for Argentina’s fourth goal in the 66th minute.
On a bad night for African teams, South Africa were also eliminated, going down 3-1 to Colombia.