Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup came to a disappointing end on Wednesday night, as the Flying Eagles suffered a comprehensive 4–0 defeat to Argentina in their Round of 16 clash in Santiago, Chile.
The loss marked the conclusion of a mixed tournament for the Nigerians, who had battled through a tough group stage only to be outclassed by one of the competition’s traditional heavyweights.
Early Setback, Relentless Pressure
Argentina wasted no time stamping their authority on the match, finding the back of the net just two minutes after kickoff. Nigerian defenders were caught off guard as Alejo Sarco slotted home the opener, capitalizing on an early lapse in concentration. The goal came after a misjudged cross by Nigeria’s goalkeeper though this detail is yet to be officially confirmed.
The South Americans doubled their lead in the 23rd minute through Maher Carrizo, who was at the heart of Argentina’s attacking moves all evening. Some reports suggest the goal came from a well-taken free kick, but official confirmation of the build-up remains unclear.
Second-Half Sealing
Any hopes of a Nigerian fightback were dashed shortly after the restart. Carrizo completed his brace in the 53rd minute, exploiting space in Nigeria’s backline to make it 3–0.
Argentina’s dominance was complete by the 66th minute, when Mateo Silvetti, a second-half substitute, added a fourth goal to cap off a one-sided performance.
The Flying Eagles struggled to match Argentina’s intensity throughout the encounter. Their midfield was overrun, and clear-cut chances were few and far between. Argentina, meanwhile, looked composed, well-drilled, and fully deserving of the win.
Coach Zubairu Reflects on Tough Night
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu, who had earlier guided Nigeria through a challenging group stage campaign, acknowledged before the match that the team would need to improve in the final third. However, Wednesday’s result exposed broader weaknesses in structure, decision-making, and defensive discipline.
“We will assess and look at where we must improve,” Zubairu said earlier in the tournament after a 2–2 draw with Colombia secured Nigeria’s passage to the knockouts. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Though the Flying Eagles showed flashes of promise during the group stage, Wednesday’s performance highlighted the gap that still exists between Nigeria and elite youth footballing nations.
Looking Ahead
With the elimination, Nigeria exits the tournament with one win, one draw, and two losses. While there were moments of individual brilliance, the Flying Eagles will reflect on missed chances, structural flaws, and a need to build a more cohesive unit.
The 4–0 loss also revives memories of past meetings with Argentina at youth level including Nigeria’s stunning 2–0 win in the 2023 edition. But this time, it was the South Americans who dictated terms from start to finish.
For Nigerian football authorities, fans, and scouts, the focus now turns to restructuring, development, and learning from this tournament. There is talent, but there must now be tactical growth, mental sharpness, and consistent team preparation.
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