Flying Eagles defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their second group game at 2025 U-20 World Cup
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria needed a late Daniel Bameyi penalty to seal a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia in the group F match of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile on Friday.
The midnight fixture saw Nigeria reignite their tournament hopes at the Fiscal stadium, as captain Bameyi ensured Nigeria collected maximum points with a well-taken penalty despite twice surrendering their lead earned through goals from Nasiru Salihu and Amos Ochoche.
Following a harsh opening fixture defeat to Norway, where they hit the post twice, Aliyu Zubair’s boys took the lead in the 12th minute. Salihu arrived on time in the box to head Sani Suleiman’s cross into the far corner for 1-0.
Then Kparobo Arierhi failed to convert with only the goalkeeper to beat, and his team was punished minutes after when the Nigerian defence failed to clear a long punt forward, allowing Amar Al-Ayuba to ghost in behind and poke the loose ball beyond Ebenezer Harcourt for 1-1 on 21 minutes.
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The Flying Eagles regained the lead in the 21st minute after executing a three-player free-kick routine that ended with Ochoche’s mishit cross looping into the far top corner, giving Nigeria a 2-1 lead at the break.
However, another deep long ball was Nigeria’s undoing early in the second half, as an unsure defence allowed Talal Haji to send a looping header over Harcourt and into the net for 2-2 on 50 minutes.
The Saudi Arabians almost took the lead with another long punt forward but the chance hit the post, before Nigeria’s continued attacking foray paid off with a penalty kick awarded for handball from a cross.
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Bameyi, the team captain, stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way, sealing a 3-2 victory four minutes into added time.
The win brightened Nigeria’s chance of reaching the round of 16. The Flying Eagles moved up to third place in Group F with three points, one point behind both Colombia and Norway, who are in first and second spot, respectively.
The Flying Eagles will face Colombia in their last group fixture at midnight on October 6.
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