Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured a dramatic and hard-fought path to the knockout stage of the 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup, relying on a late penalty to draw 1-1 with Group F rivals Colombia early Monday morning.
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The crucial point earned at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca ensured Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, keeping Africa’s hopes alive in the tournament.
The contest was defined by Nigeria’s resilience. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt proved pivotal in the first half, making two fantastic saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to thwart an aggressive Colombian attack. Despite several shots hitting the woodwork from the enterprising trio of Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani, the Flying Eagles struggled to find a breakthrough.
The tension ratcheted up in the 51st minute when Colombia’s Kener Gonzalez converted an assist from Neyser Villareal to put the South Americans ahead.
With the clock winding down and qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Nigeria’s pressure finally paid off. In the 86th minute, following a handball by a Colombian defender after Maigana’s shot, Captain Daniel Bameyi stepped up to calmly dispatch the resultant penalty, leveling the score and salvaging the necessary point. The team nearly stole a late winner in the 89th minute, but a goal-bound shot from Arierhi was blocked.
The draw sets the stage for a mouth-watering Round of 16 clash. The Flying Eagles will face tournament heavyweights and perennial rivals Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago this Wednesday.
The fixture is a repeat of their unforgettable 2023 U-20 World Cup quarter-final, where Nigeria triumphed 2-0 over the host nation.
In other confirmed knockout fixtures, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay.
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