June, 1 2023.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria are through to the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup, after comfortably beating the tournament host, Argentina 2-0 in a match that ended in the early minutes of Thursday.
Two goals, including a stoppage time clincher, all scored in the second at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentinario, ensured Nigeria's improbable defeat of the Argentines, the most successful side, at this level, in the world.
After a closely fought first half had ended goalless, the Flying Eagles stepped up its attacking play, and it was Ibrahim Beji Muhammed that got the opening goal for Nigeria, just past the hour mark.
Resolute defending preserved Nigeria's lead, until a minute into 13 minutes of the added time, when Rilwanu Sarki was at the end of a swift counter attack, and headed-in the clincher, that saw the record six time winners, crash out of the World Cup, ckdmedia.ng reports.
For Coach Ladan Bosso and his men, it was an amount of revenge exacted on Argentina who in 2005, defeated Coach Samson Siasia led Flying Eagles 2-1 in the final of the same tournament, hosted by the Netherlands.
Nigeria's best showing has been appearance in two finals, with the first coming in Saudi Arabia, in 1989 when Coach Tunde Disu led side, also lost 1-2 to a star studded Portugal side.