U-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles crush Italy, reach round of 16

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have qualified for the last 16 of the ongoing Under-20 World Cup in Argentina after beating Italy 2-0.

Nigeria topped Group D with six points after beating Dominican Republic 2-1 in their opening match.

After a goalless first half, the Eagles opened the scoring in the 61st minute through Laval Salem Fago.

Fago got on the end of a pass and this allowed him to finish with a close-range header into an empty net.

Earlier in the 21st minute, Cesare Casadei picked up the ball inside the box and made a snap shot that hit the crossbar.

In the 31st minute, Sébastiano Desplanche was forced into action to clear Fago’s effort. After latching on to a pass, he found himself some space and fired a shot into the bottom left corner but could not beat the keeper.

In the 79th minute, Tommaso Baldanzi broke into the box and went over after a challenge from an opposition player, but the referee did not signal a penalty.

Six minutes later, Daniele Montevago had a shot on goal from a very promising position outside the penalty area, but it was blocked by a self-sacrificing keeper.

Five minutes into extra time, Sunday Jude scored the second goal for Nigeria.

Chijioke Anyagboso fired a cross into the box and found Judd, who latched onto it and slotted the ball down the middle of the net to make it 2–0.