Six-time champions, Argentina, have eliminated Nigeria from the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, recording a commanding 4-0 victory in their Round of 16 clash in Santiago on Wednesday evening. The result avenged Argentina’s defeat to the Flying Eagles at the same stage when they hosted the tournament two years ago.
Argentina got off to a flying start as Alejo Sarco opened the scoring in the second minute, before Maher Carrizo doubled the lead from a well-taken free-kick in the 23rd minute after a foul by midfielder Nasiru Salihu on the edge of the box.
Nigeria had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down shortly after, when Ramirez appeared to bundle Salihu down inside the area. The Flying Eagles pressed high in search of a response, with Oseer Achihi causing problems for the Argentine defence from the left flank, forcing them to concede multiple corners and throw-ins.
Just before half-time, Daniel Daga came close to pulling one back, but goalkeeper Santino Barbi produced a brilliant save to deny his close-range effort, ensuring Argentina went into the break with a two-goal cushion.
Carrizo struck again in the 53rd minute, finishing off a swift Argentine counter-attack to make it 3-0, before substitute Matheus Silvetti beat the offside trap and curled a fine effort beyond Ebenezer Harcourt in the 66th minute to seal a comprehensive win for the South Americans.
The defeat means Nigeria, two-time silver medallists at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, have been knocked out of this year’s tournament.
