The seven-time African champions, Nigeria, delivered an impressive display against Colombia in the early hours of Monday, successfully advancing to the Round of 16 in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals held in Chile.
The Nigerian Flying Eagle Goalkeeper made crucial saves ensuring the score remained unchanged in Talca. However, the Flying Eagles were the more daring team, striking the upright several times, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani showcasing their skills throughout significant portions of the match.
Kener Gonzalez gave Colombia the lead of Nigeria assisted by Neyser Villareal. Nevertheless, the Flying Eagles remained undeterred, launching multiple attacks against the South Americans at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca.
Defender Odinaka Okoro was thwarted by the goalkeeper when he headed the ball following a pull-out by Maigana.
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However, the two-time silver medallists finally found their breakthrough with just four minutes remaining in regulation time, as captain Daniel Bameyi sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a shot by Maigana was handled in the box.
Nigeria nearly secured a winner in the 89th minute, but Arierhi’s shot was blocked within the box.
The draw sets the stage for Nigeria to face Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday.
This matchup will be a repeat of the quarter-final encounter from the last championship hosted by Argentina, which Nigeria won 2-0 in San Juan.
Colombia will face another African team, South Africa, while Norway is set to compete against Paraguay in the Round of 16.
