FIFA U20 World Cup: My boys gave everything against Nigeria — Mascherano

Mascherano’s team gave their all during the 2-0 round of 16 defeat to Nigeria in San Juan on Wednesday.​

Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki struck in the second half to send the title favourites parking from 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The defeat brought an end to Argentina’s run of 10 straight U-20 World Cup victories.

The La Albiceleste had won all seven games when they hosted the tournament in 2001, and their first three at this edition.

Mascherano however refused to blame his team.​

“We played the game we had to play and it couldn’t happen,” Mascherano was quoted by the Argentine official football website.

“Football is like that, sometimes it gives you and sometimes it takes away. Today we have to congratulate Nigeria.

“The team tried anyway, we have nothing to blame because the boys left everything.”​

Nigeria will now face the Ecuador vs Korea Republic winners in the quarter-finals in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.