Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have qualified for the round of 16 at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after a pulsating 1-1 draw with Colombia in their final Group F tie on Monday.
Another late penalty converted by Daniel Bamayi saw the Flying Eagles come from a goal down to earn a point against the South Americans.
It was a gane that saw Flying Eagles trio Daniel Daga, Suleiman Sani and Tahir Maigana hit the woodwork.
But it was the Colombians who took the lead in the 52nd minute through Kener Gonzalez off a counter attack.
But in the 86th minute Bameyi drew the Flying Eagles level from the penalty spot, sending the keeper the wrong way after a Colombian player handled the ball inside the box.
The result means the Flying Eagles placed third on four points and finished as one of the third best sides.
Also Read: 2025 U-20 W/Cup: How Flying Eagles Rated In Draw With Colombia
Colombia on five points topped the group and Norway who also had five points, after drawing 1-1 with Saudi Arabia, placed second.
The Flying Eagles will now face six-time U-20 FIFA World Cup winners Argentina in the round of 16 on October 8.
Argentina finished top in Group D on nine points, scoring eight goals and conceding just two.
The Argentines began their campaign with a 3-1 win against Cuba, thrashed Australia 4-1 and pipped Italy 1-0 in their last group encounter.
The last time the Flying Eagles faced Argentina at the U-20 World Cup was also in the round of 16 when the South American giants hosted the tournament.
After a thrilling contest the Flying Eagles stunned Argentina 2-0 to progress to the quarter-finals.
The other round of 16 fixtures will see hosts Chile face Mexico, Ukraine take on Spain, Colombia will battle South Africa, USA and Italy will square off, it will be Paraguay vs Norway and Japan battle France.
By James Agberebi
6 Comments
Looks like the end of the road at the round of 16 for Flying Eagles of Nigeria! With the performances and struggles they’ve had so far in the group stage, I can’t see them beating a talented, tactical and gritty Argentina u-20 side that beat all comers in their group to accumulate 9- points, next Wednesday 8th of October to qualify for the quarter finals.
How do you know Argentina u-20 will beat the flying Eagles? group stage is different from knockout stage.
1. Prophecy.
CS headline:
“2025 U-20 WC: ‘All Flying Eagles Wanted Was To Qualify For The Next Round’ –Zubair Reacts After Draw Vs Colombia”
He knows his team huffed and puffed.
2. He also knows goals win games but since his goal scorers so far have been only defenders (after full 3 matches), they might as well come back home because defenders can’t score and defend at the same time.
3. Team is bereft of credible tactics. Even Deo with match discerning abilities hasn’t understood a discernible playing style of this team.
4. Argentina Kids will run them ragged. No jokes. It might be a mauling. Brains over brawns.
8:30pm on Wednesday. Time.
Must we always meet Argentina in every world Cup??
Na wa oh. I hope we replicate what we did to them in the last edition.
Argentina topped their group whereas we managed to be among the FOUR BEST LOSERS after playing ordinary Norway and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Morocco topped a group that had Spain and Brazil, even Mexico.
South Africa had 6 points along with France and USA but finished second.
This is true. Argentina will be tough.