U-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles pip Italy 2-0, zoom into Round of 16

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles sealed a place in the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup following a 2-0 win against Italy.

Italy started the game on the strong foot and hit the woodwork through Cesare Casadei on five minutes.

The Flying Eagles took their time to settle into the game and troubled the Italian defence with a couple of long range efforts.

Solomon Agbalaka handled the ball inside the box 10 minutes before the box.

The left-back was lucky after the referee ruled that an Italian player also touched the ball in the build up following consultation with VAR.

Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso produced a superb save to deny the Italians late in the first half.

Flying Eagles head coach, Ladan Bosso, made two changes at the start of the second half with Tochukwu Nnadi and Umeh Emmanuel replacing Samson Lawal and Ibrahim Mohammed.

The Nigerian boys took control of the game in the second half but were often let down by their final ball.

The breakthrough came in the 61st minute, with Salim Fago nodding home superbly after he was set up from a delightful cross from Nnadi.

Winger Jude Sunday netted the second deep into stoppage time.

The Flying Eagles will face Brazil in their final group game on Saturday in La Plata.