Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets reached the semi-finals of the FIFA U17 World Cup when they dumped three-time champions Brazil 3-0 Sunday night.
The four-time world champions will now wait on the winners of Monday’s quarterfinal between Mexico and Ecuador to slug it out for a place in the championship final in Chile.
The semi-final, the seventh for Nigeria in this competition, will be at Concepcion on Thursday.
After a shaky start, the Eaglets scored within a five-minute spell to dazzle the 11-time South American champions in front of a 10,000-strong crowd.
The Samba Boys were all over the pitch in the first 10 minutes of the game, but failed to put away the several chances they created.
Defending champions Nigerian then fought back and tournament's leading scorer Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with a header of John Lazarus’ cross from the right. It was his eighth goal of the campaign.
A minute later, Kingsley Michael made it 2-0 from inside the box off Osimhen's acrobatic assist.
Leftback Udochukwu Anamundu increased the tally to 3-0 in the 34th minute.
In the 16th minute, Lukman Zakari's header bounced off the ground and went over the bar.
Leandro headed off target Henrique 's cross on 21 minutes and a minute later, Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze fired wide from 19 yards.
After half hour, Udoh Akpan saved a Mulitao's effort, before the Nigeria goalkeeper kept out Evander's shot five minutes later.
In the second half, Brazil expectedly chased the game, but they hardly threatened a well-organised Nigeria defence.
Osimhen was denied by Brazil goalkeeper Juliano in the 86th and 90 minutes.
Late in the game, Chukwueze came close to stretching Nigeria’s lead, before Udoh kept out a dangerous Brazil free kick by Evander.
Advertisement
Advertisement