An exciting match, more like the final: Sporting Lagos Academy secured their place in the final of the prestigious Gothia Cup after a dramatic 5-4 victory over fellow Nigerian side Beyond Limits FA.
Naija Derby Delivers: Sporting Lagos Edges Beyond Limits in Thriller
The match, played at the SKF Arena on Friday evening, was a joy to watch, a nine-goal thriller, and countless heart-stopping moments, Footballrover reports.
Sporting Lagos FA had a perfect winning record going into this 2024 Gothia Cup semifinal clash in Sweden.
They held their rivals, ASEC Mimosas, from Ivory Coast to a goalless draw in regulation time, but won 4-3 on penalties.
The Lagos-based Football Academy were yet to give up a goal after five games into the competition, with a record of six goals scored and five clean sheets, thanks to their goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt.
As for Beyond Limits FA, the Remo Stars youngsters stunned Right to Dream by defeating the Ghanaian team 7-6 in a penalty shootout to advance to the semifinal stage of the tournament. 
Sporting Lagos: The Unbeatable Wall Crumbles
Sporting Lagos started brightly, dominating possession in the opening stages.
However, it was Beyond Limits who almost drew first blood, with Muyideen Olude narrowly missing the target in the fifth minute.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating chances but unable to break the deadlock.
The game exploded into life midway through the first half.
Bidemi Amole gave Sporting Lagos the lead with a well-taken goal in the 13th minute, but Beyond Limits responded almost immediately when Sunday Ogbonaya converted a penalty to level the scores.
Amole then grabbed his second of the game to put Sporting back in front, before completing his hat-trick just before halftime to give his side a comfortable 3-1 lead at the break.
The second half was equally as dramatic as the first. Toheeb Abiodun pulled one back for Beyond Limits, sparking a thrilling comeback.
Jimoh Toheeb Olawale levelled the score with a stunning strike before Lucky John restored Sporting’s lead.
Kparobo Arierhi then equalised for Beyond Limits, setting up a grandstand finish.
With nerves jangling, Sporting Lagos found a late winner through Naziru, who converted a Tunde Akomolede throw-in to send his team into the final.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Sporting Lagos players as they booked their place in the Gothia Cup final.
INTO THE FINALLLLL!!! 🥹🥹🥹
Beyond Limits FA 🔴 |4-5| Sporting Lagos Academy 🔵#SLFAGothiaCup
#Letsgosporting💙💛 pic.twitter.com/N0S4cYHCLS— Sporting Lagos Football Academy (@SLFCAcademy) July 19, 2024
Recall that the last time these teams faced off was in the July TCC Cup final, where the young Remo Stars’ team won through a penalty shootout and its pay back time.
Gothia Cup Heartbreak for Tikitaka and Nigeria Eagles
Earlier on, Abuja-based team Tikitaka International saw the end of their Gothia Cup journey after they were defeated 2-1 by IF Brommapojkarma in the quarterfinal of the competition.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Eagles were also knocked out of the Gothia Cup tournament through a penalty shootout against the Arab Emirates in the B16 category.
The young Nigerian Eagles lost 4-5 to the Arab Emirates.
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