Six-time champions Argentina cruised past Nigeria’s Flying Eagles with a commanding 4–0 victory on Wednesday night in Santiago, sealing the Africans’ exit from the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The emphatic win served as sweet revenge for Argentina, who were eliminated by Nigeria at the same stage when they hosted the tournament two years ago.
Alejo Sarco set the tone for the South Americans just two minutes into the encounter, slotting home the opener after a defensive lapse from Nigeria.
Maher Carrizo made it 2–0 in the 23rd minute with a superb free-kick, capitalizing on a foul by Nasiru Salihu on the edge of the box that disrupted Nigeria’s early momentum.
Nigeria thought they had a case for a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Ramirez on Salihu inside the area, but the referee waved play on.
Despite Oseer Achihi’s lively runs down the left flank and a series of dangerous deliveries into the box, Argentina’s defense held firm, dealing with the threats through well-organized clearances.
Just before the break, Daniel Daga came close to halving the deficit, but his close-range effort was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Santino Barbi to keep Argentina two goals ahead.
Carrizo struck again in the 53rd minute to extend the lead, before substitute Matheus Silvetti added a fourth with a fine curling finish in the 66th minute, leaving Nigeria’s goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt helpless.
The heavy defeat ends Nigeria’s campaign in the Round of 16, a disappointing outcome for the two-time silver medallists who had entered the tournament with high hopes.
