Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday evening cruised past Italy with a 2-0 scoreline in their second Group D match at the ongoing 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Both teams had won their opening group games prior to the match at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza with Nigeria earning a hard-fought victory over Dominican Republic, and Italy defeated Brazil 3-2 in a game that received more attention.
Tochukwu Nnadi, who is based in Bulgaria, was swapped out for AC Milan prodigy Victor Eletu in Coach Ladan Bosso’s only lineup modification from the Dominican game.
The Flying Eagles posed more threat offensively and also managed to keep the Europeans causing harm, despite the Italians’ early possession advantage
However, in the 37th minute, the Ladan Bosso team avoided receiving a penalty when Solomon Agbalaka’s handball was not called as a result of an earlier foul by the Italian fullback Mattia Zanotti.
After the interval, Flying Eagles coach made two substitutions, bringing in Emmanuel Umeh in place of Samson Lawal and replacing Ibrahim Beji Muhammad with Tochukwu Nnadi.
Its all paid off as Salim Fago Lawal, scored with a spectacular leaping header just after the hour mark after super sub, Umeh fought his way towards the Italian byline and crossed for him.
Sunday Jude then scored the match’s second goal almost with the game’s final kick, picking up Flying Eagles goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso’s long pass and eluding a forceful Italian charge on the way to beating Sebastiano Desplanches.
With six points from two games, Nigeria’s victory on Wednesday all but ensures that they will advance to the round of 16 of the 24-nation competition.
Colombia and Nigeria keep winning! ????#U20WC
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 24, 2023
At the World Cup, the Flying Eagles will finish their group stage campaign with a thrilling match against Brazil on Saturday at 7 o’clock Nigerian time at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in La Plata.
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