THE Flying Eagles of Nigeria secured a late 1-1 draw with Colombia in Talca, Chile in the early hours of today to advance to the round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The seven-time African champions pulled level four minutes from time to earn the crucial point that earned them a spot in the knockouts.
Colombia scored first in the 51st when Kener Gonzalez swept the ball in off an assist by Neyser Villareal, but the Flying Eagles kept going in search of the all-important equaliser at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca.
The Nigerian lads went close but Odinaka Okoro was denied by the Colombia goalkeeper as he headed the ball from a pull-out by Tahir Maigana in the 76th minute.
The Flying Eagles, two-time silver medallists in the competition, got the breakthrough in the 86th minute, captain Daniel Bameyi sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a shot by Maigana was handled in the box.
Nigeria came close to netting the winner in the 89th minute, but Kparobo Arierhi’s shot was blocked in the box.
The draw ensures the Flying Eagles finished the group stage with four points and set them up against Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday.
The two teams are meeting again in a repeat of their round of 16 clash in 2023, which the Flying Eagles won 2-0 in San Juan, Argentina.
While the Flying Eagles finished third in Group F with four points, behind Colombia and Norway, Argentina topped Group D with nine points, winning all their three matches.
Colombia will face South Africa, while Norway will take on Paraguay in other round of 16 fixtures.